Region: Caribbean
Anse Chastanet Resort with Scuba St. Lucia
Introduction
Relax you deserve this luxury dive vacation in St. Lucia
Welcome to the luxury you have earned. Anse Chastanet Resort on St. Lucia is considered one of the most romantic resorts in the Caribbean, designed by visionary owners Karolin and Nick Troubetzkoy. St. Lucia is the perfect island, whether you’re after romance, rejuvenation, or a diving adventure.
Discover Anse Chastanet: Your Luxury Eco-Escape
Nestled on 600 lush tropical acres, Anse Chastanet is more than a resort; it’s an immersive experience. Wake up to breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic Pitons meeting the serene Caribbean Sea. Explore two pristine soft-sand beaches and dive into untouched coral reefs just offshore.
Unforgettable Experiences:
- World-Class Diving: Dive into a protected marine reserve teeming with vibrant coral reefs. Our on-site Scuba St. Lucia operation, led by experienced professionals, offers a full daily diving and coral nursery program.
- Luxury & Eco-Consciousness: Anse Chastanet seamlessly integrates the beauty of St. Lucia into your stay. Designed by architect Nick Troubetzkoy, the resort blends tropical foliage, stunning views, and the sounds of nature for a truly unique experience.
- Adventure Awaits: Explore extensive mountain biking and hiking trails within the Anse Mamin estate, discovering historical sites and lush tropical flora.
- Organic Dining: Savor fresh, organic cuisine at our Emerald Estate, where we cultivate a variety of produce for exceptional dining and vegan experiences.
- Romance & Relaxation: Anse Chastanet’s tranquil atmosphere and stunning setting make it the perfect romantic getaway.
Explore the Wonders of St. Lucia:
Anse Chastanet is your gateway: Honeymoon, couples retreat, and family vacation; we can create it all for you.
- The Iconic Pitons: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Both resorts offer breathtaking views, culinary delights, and jungle biking and hiking opportunities in addition to the island’s best diving.
- Protected Marine Reserves: Dive and snorkel among vibrant coral reefs and wrecks teeming with diverse marine life.
Exclusive Offer:
Save up to 15% on your Anse Chastanet getaway when you book your dive vacations to St. Lucia through Family Dive Adventures. Our special rates are exclusive to our clients with customized vacations specifically suited for your family.
Ready for your dream trip?
Contact us today to learn more and book your unforgettable escape to Anse Chastanet! We’ve been sending divers to this paradise for 25 years and can help you create the perfect itinerary. (803)-419-2556
This vacation can be a visual indulgence of the senses. Chocolate sensory, culinary classes, chocolate hand & foot massage, along with sunset or sunrise yoga. Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are world-famous for luxury, romance, and top-level service. There is something for everyone on this breathtaking island. Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain are a gift to your physical and mental health.
Pre and post-trip add-ons are easy to accommodate, as well as special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and even weddings. Extra-large deluxe and premium suites underscore the visionary, innovative, sometimes whimsical side of Nick Troubetzkoy: in one suite, the balcony is built around a full-grown red gommier tree; in another, a flamboyant tree drapes its red blossoms around the patio. Some have their 4th wall open entirely to the vistas yet are completely private.
Packages
Christmas / New Year’s package rates for the Coral Kaleidoscope Package: Beach Deluxe room from $4,956pp dbl for a seven-day dive vacation
The Coral Kaleidoscope package: includes seven nights in room category chosen; FAP (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner); all tax and service; airport taxi transfers both ways; welcome cocktail, drinks package in-room fridge and culinary amenity on arrival;
12 beach or boat dives; substitution of a day dive and night dive to a maximum of 2; and escorted walk of the Old French Colonial Plantation.
Also included are a tennis court/equipment, water sports equipment (snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, mini-sailing, wind-surfing), sunrise and sunset yoga, beach chairs, and towels on the resort’s two beaches.
Anse Chastanet individual dive vacation package for 2025 (Non-Kids Sea Camp week)
- Seven nights Superior accommodation Anse Chastanet Dive Resort St. Lucia
- Airport transfers
- Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner
- Welcome, drink, and culinary amenities on arrival
- 12 beach or boat dives include tanks, weights, belts, masks, snorkel, fins (other equipment at a charge if needed)
- Guided tour of Old French Colonial Plantation
- Marine park fee to be paid locally
- Complimentary non-motorized water-sports
- Sunset cruise
- Choice of 4 restaurants and two beaches
- Valet service
- From $3,589 pp +tax based on diver dbl occ -Delux Beach room
- From $3,189 pp +tax based on diver triple occ- Superior Hill room
Deposit $1,000 per room and save when booked through Family Dive Adventures. We can upgrade to Piton Hill rooms or Jade Mountain rooms as well. Give us a call today at 1-803-419-2556
Please note that kids aged 12 and under are only allowed at Anse Chastanet during Kids Sea Camp. Kids must be 17 or older to stay at Jade Mountain. Family Dive Adventures provides dive vacations to both Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet. Contact us for honeymoons, anniversaries, romantic dive trips, or a private family dive vacation. Prices do not include VAT. We are the experts and provide year-round reservations.
Accommodations
A view like no other in the Caribbean!
Nick Troubetzkoy and his wife, Karolin, had a dream to combine St. Lucia’s mountainous beauty and sweet sugar beaches with divine luxury, resulting in the creation of Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia. What a sweet vacation dream it is! Extra-large deluxe and premium hill suites underscore the visionary, innovative, sometimes whimsical side of Nick Troubetzkoy. In one suite, the balcony is built around a Red Gommier tree; in another, a flamboyant tree drapes its red blossoms around the balcony. Some have the fourth wall open entirely to pitons or ocean views. Beach rooms are the only air-conditioned rooms on the resort.
The resort rooms are tucked behind coconut palms that line the beach, and the remainder tiptoes up a flower-decked hillside. To make the most of the panoramic views and the refreshing tradewinds, octagonal whitewashed cottages come with wraparound flower-draped balconies and louvered windows. If you want a bit of romance or majestic views, choose the hill rooms with an open-air treehouse-like feel—some with swings and Piton views. The Beach Rooms are glass-enclosed and spacious and are the only rooms at the resort with AC. Walk out to the beach and dive shop to enjoy your daily adventures.
Extra-large deluxe and premium suites underscore the visionary, innovative, and sometimes whimsical side of the owner and Architect, Nick Troubetzkoy. In one suite, the balcony is built around a mature red Gommier tree, and in another room, a flamboyant tree drapes its red blossoms around the balcony. Some have their fourth wall open entirely to the vistas yet are entirely private. There is also one two-bedroom suite with its very own pool.
And then there are always Jade Mountain rooms up the hill. Jade Mountian is considered one of the premier honeymoon resorts in the entire world.
Diving / Diving Site(s)
Reefs raising out of the Pitons Mountains
The Diving
The Anse Chastanet reef starts just 10 yards beyond the water’s edge. The reef’s remarkable ecosystem offers an amazing profusion of unusual tropical marine life, in 20 to 140 feet of calm, clear water. Anse Chastanet reef which is home to more than 150 different species of fish makes for an amazing dive day or night. In the shallow areas be sure to keep your eyes open for peacock flounders, octopus, needlefish, and turtles. Or drop down a little deeper over dense coral growth to see puffers, moray eels, parrotfish, lobsters, and even sea horses. A unique dive site for all abilities and is especially good for macro photography.
The shore dive is a required “first” dive for dive guests. It allows divers to feel ensured that all equipment is functioning properly, that their buoyancy skills are adequate for entering the marine reserve, and provides an orientation to the type of diving for which St Lucia is known. This reef is a favorite of most professional underwater photographers and videographers who visit Anse Chastanet.
Scuba St Lucia has a talented and friendly multinational staff. Its local dive leaders are true professionals who have logged thousands of dive hours in the marine reserve and will show you the fantastic sights on the reefs. The staff are very accommodating and will do their best to help out with “special requests”.
Scuba St. Lucia is a renowned National Geographic/PADI 5-Star Dive resort and DAN (Divers Alert Network) Partner in Dive Safety facility. It is located in the heart of St. Lucia’s marine reserves at the south end of Anse Chastanet Beach. Founded in 1981, Scuba St. Lucia has established itself as one of the best dive shops in the Caribbean. The reefs in St. Lucia are some of the most underrated diving destinations in the world. This dive team is family-focused and kid-friendly yet can cater to photographers and adults of all levels. There are no pools at Anse Chastanet, so dive training is done in a training area just off the beach.
Scuba St. Lucia is perfectly set up for both beach and boat dives. She offers guests private gear storage, a well-equipped scuba store, small and large scuba tanks, ScubaPro rental dive gear, and Sealife underwater photo and video rental. Kids Sea Camp is a dealer for both ScubaPro and Sealife, so you can always shop with us and be ready to dive and enjoy your family dive trip fully outfitted and ready to go by just calling us.
Night dives are offered at least twice weekly on Anse Chastanet’s Reef, which really “wakes up” at night, with many interesting crustaceans on the move, large basket stars, sleeping parrotfish, octopus and squid, bioluminescence, and the “THING.” Scuba Courses: Scuba St Lucia is an ideal place to learn to dive, with warm, clear waters and a shallow, protected reef close to the Dive Center.
Equipment Rental
The rental facility is fully equipped with the latest scuba gear including Scubapro regulators with octopus, low-pressure inflator, depth, and pressure gauges, Seaquest/Aqualung beds, and 3mm shorty wetsuits. Also available for rental are masks, fins, and snorkels. All rental gear is serviced regularly to ensure top quality and safety. The facility is equipped with four large freshwater rinse tanks with disinfectant inside and all gear is washed after each use.
Photo and Video
Scuba St. Lucia offers its clients an underwater Photo and Video center with camera rentals and custom video creation. Digital underwater cameras are also available for rental. The staff can assist with all camera and video needs and offer a range of courses such as Underwater Videographer and Underwater Photographer.
Boats
Scuba St. Lucia operates three dive boats: Miss Ina, Miss Bertha, and Jenny-Marie. The boat dives should also not be missed. From the dramatic walls beneath the majestic Piton Mountains to Superman’s flight, a drift dive in the shadow of the Petit Piton, the diving is fantastic. Coral Gardens and Jalousie under the Gros Piton, Piton Wall, the wreck of the “Lesleen M,” Anse La Raye, and Anse Cochon are other dives that must be experienced. Closer to home for the afternoon boat trips but no less spectacular sites, the diver can explore Fairyland, Turtle Reef, Grand Caille, Trou Diable, the Pinnacles, and much more.
The pace in St. Lucia is always slow and relaxed, and the diving and activities are efficiently organized with minimal fuss. The dive boats have fresh drinking water, complete safety equipment, towels, first-aid kits, and a DAN oxygen unit.
Dive Training
Kids & adults can take the following courses in both weeks this summer.
- 14-day PADI Dive Master for participants 18 and older
- PADI rescue diver for participants age 12+ either week
- PADI Underwater Naturalist
- Digital photo
- Coral Restoration
- Lion Fish tracker
Other programs offered
SASY for kids ages 5-7 – a full day of water fun and other activities and excursions
PADI Seal Team is for kids ages 8-10 who will learn through fun aqua adventures in the ocean daily. Seals will learn the first stage of scuba diving in under 12 feet of water. There is one instructor for every two children.
PADI Jr. Open Water and Open Water. Anyone from age ten and up can learn to dive. We provide this course for adults and kids.
Adult dive program. Adults will be pampered and cared for with Vallet Diving each week. Your gear will be set up, rinsed, and put away for you each day. Just have your breakfast and board your spacious dive boat, complete with private staff, snacks, and fresh drinking water, and you will be taken to some of the best diving St. Lucia offers. Family diving is available any day, and there is unlimited shore diving.
Compressors and Tanks
Compressors: Scuba St. Lucia recently upgraded their filling station by adding a Bauer Securus Air System. This is the first and only filtration system in St. Lucia, providing the purest air quality available in the industry—two Bauer K14 and a Bauer K15 compressor supply close to 40 cfpm. Nitrox is also available.
Scuba Tanks: Scuba St. Lucia has over 200 Aluminum scuba tanks in both 63 cu. Ft. and 80 cu. Ft. All tanks are tested and serviced regularly to ensure top quality and safety.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Fine dining around every corner
A wide range of dining experiences at Anse Chastanet! Some of the best dining in Soufriere and St. Lucia are at Anse Chastanet. An enticing selection of menus is available in several intimate hillside and beachside rooms. You can pre-book private dining arrangements at the water’s edge on Anse Chastanet beach or in our spa cottage Kai Mer overlooking the Caribbean.
Whether you fancy fine tropical Caribbean cuisine, exotic creole flavors, or simple grilled fare, you will find it available and so much more. The culinary options also include St.Lucia East Indian menu titled Apsara, a wholly vegetarian restaurant called Emerald’s, and last but not least, the Jungle Grill for daytime laid-back dining on our second beach, Anse Mamin. And, of course, all of the kitchens receive organic produce from our resort farm Emerald’s in the Soufriere Hills.
Dine in at the resort’s two open-air treehouses overlooking lush tropical foliage and the Caribbean Sea. Join us for award-winning tropical world cuisine made from a blend of the Caribbean with other tropical world cuisine experiences. The dinner menu changes daily and is served in a romantic candlelit ambiance, surrounded by beautiful original artwork. Breakfast is served here daily as is dinner, which is served daily except Tuesdays.
Anse Chastanet menus always include vegetarian options, and our culinary team is also happy to meet any other dietary requirements. In addition, the resort serves our Emerald’s dinner menu, which is entirely vegetarian, showcasing the organic produce grown on our resort farm Emerald Estate in the Soufriere Hills.
Anse Chastanet only uses certified organic seeds. Menu selections offer new tastes and combinations regularly, including appetizers such as Goat’s Cheese Fondant, Balsamic Caramel, Apple Curry, and Crispy Rain Forest Calabza Gnocchi. Entrees like tofu smoked paprika, sour cream, cilantro, cumin, sweet potato, and plantain satay, are available.
You have numerous choices for dining at Anse Chastanet; Emerald’s a vegetarian dining experience; Trou Au Diable, a beach restaurant; Aspara, an Indian theme menu at Trou Au Diable, or the Beach Grill and the Jungle grill.
Activities
When you are not diving
- Paddleboarding
- Yoga
- Sunset cruise
- Jungle biking
- Culinary classes
- Chocolate tasting
- Kayaking
- Volcano excursion
- Sailing lessons
- Spa treatments
- “Forever you” renewal of vows
Know Before You Go
Fly to paradise
Airlines servicing St. Lucia
- American Airlines
- US Airways
- Delta Airways
- United Airlines
- JetBlue
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- Air Canada
- Westjet
- Air France
- Condor
- TRANSAT
- Caribbean Airlines
- Caribbean Star, and Corsair via Martinique.
St. Lucia COVID information
St. Lucia Tourism information
St. Lucia pre-travel registration form
Please lookout for new non-stop, direct flights to Saint Lucia starting from Chicago (United Airlines) and Boston (JetBlue).
Airports: Hewanorra International Airport: UVF (18 miles) – approximately 60 minutes. George Charles Airport: SLU (inter-island) (30 miles) – approximately 75 minutes. At Hewanorra Airport, our airport representative is stationed right outside of the arrival hall. At SLU airport, we have a representative awaiting you once you have notified us of your flight details. If you plan to arrive on your private plane, please contact us and we will facilitate the arrival arrangements for you.
The Helipad: Anse Chastanet owns and operates a private, fully licensed helipad for the exclusive use of our resort guests. The helipad is located in the hills behind the resort where it can operate without any noise disturbance to our guests. The helicopter company operates during daylight hours only. The helicopter transfers are approximately $280 USD (UVF) one way. Prices are subject to change without notice.
The helicopter company requires a minimum of 4 passengers booked on any given flight prior to sending the final confirmation of the transfer to us. This final confirmation may only come through the day prior to your arrival day. As there is only one helicopter company there is good, steady demand and mostly, this final confirmation will come through.
If you wish to have an immediate confirmation and guarantee, you would need to agree to purchase a total of 4 seats and will guarantee payment for these 4 seats in case no other passengers will have booked by the time of your arrival. If you wish to book a private helicopter transfer, a payment of 6 seats is required. As there is a limited amount of helicopters, please know that mechanical issues or weather issues could always lead to last-minute cancellation in which case the resort would automatically secure a land transfer for you.
There may also be last-minute delays over which we will have no influence as they could be caused by a variety of reasons. Please also be aware that your luggage will be transported to and reach the resort separately. Your hand luggage can travel with you. Contact us at Kids Sea Camp if you wish to book a helicopter transfer. 803-419-2556
Passports and documentation
All travelers must have a current passport, adequate funds to support themselves, and a return airline ticket to travel out of the USA. Travelers must have a passport that is valid for 6 months from the date of entry to any foreign country.
It is the travelers’ responsibility to ensure they have the proper documentation to travel into each country on their itinerary as well as for re-entry and return to their country. Please check with the appropriate consulate as well as your chosen airline carrier to ensure you have the proper documentation. Always check your passport and visa requirements. US citizens may go to the US Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov for more information. The website also has information for consulates by country to assist with requirements.
There are special requirements for children leaving the US and many countries have adopted special requirements for the protection of children. If you are traveling with a child that is not your own, a single parent with a child, a child with a different last name, or traveling without both natural parents of the child, you will require documentation proving your right to travel with children. Since regulations vary by country, contact your consulate or embassy of your country and visit the immigration site of the country you are traveling to for the requirements. Kids Sea Camp Reservation Office and staff will not assume responsibility for passengers not having the correct documentation.
Golden Rock Nature Resort
Introduction
Golden Rock is the hidden gem of the Caribbean
Family Dive Adventures is excited to announce our new partnership with Golden Rock on the island of St. Eustatius. Combining luxury, adventure, relaxation, and fun, Golden Rock offers an authentic island experience. St. Eustatius is the hidden gem of the Caribbean. Where the Quill Volcano meets the Atlantic Ocean, Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort sits. Choose from the contemporary designed rooms, suites, villas, and lodges, all completed with high-end finishes and featuring spacious balconies and gardens with colorful views of the gardens, pool, and ocean. Check what we have in store for Golden Rock this Christmas.
The resort’s dream is to be the most colorful, green, and luscious resort in the Caribbean. After planting over 100,000 species of plants, flowers, and trees, Golden Rock has created an eco-system attracting colorful species of birds, including the graceful hummingbird and butterflies that now have become our welcomed guests. The majestic dormant volcano called the Quill decorates the resort’s backdrop, illuminating it with vibrancy and shades of green, making our location unique. Enjoy walking around the resort’s 40 acres of radiant gardens featuring marble paths and sweeping ocean views, feeling the island breeze. Golden Rock makes Travel & Leisure’s best new resort in the Caribbean.
Golden Rock is going green
Part of Golden Rock’s vision is to be the Caribbean’s leading, sustainable lifestyle resort, and we have embarked on a journey to redefine luxury hospitality in the region. The commitment goes beyond providing exceptional service and amenities; it encompasses a deep respect for the environment, the local community, and our guests’ well-being. The resort’s sustainability journey involves various initiatives to minimize its environmental footprint while maximizing its positive impact.
Since the resort opened in September 2021, over 130,000 plants, flowers, and trees have been planted, creating breathtaking gardens for guests to explore and a new habitat for local wildlife.
They grow organic herbs and vegetables in the 20,000 ft² greenhouses near Bobbie’s Beach Club. Thanks to our climate and natural sunlight, we are able to grow all year round using no pesticides and serve our produce in both of our restaurants—Breeze and Bobbie’s Beach Club. As a result, we are more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports from Europe or the USA. Guests can also explore the greenhouse and pick their produce to make a cup of tea!
The 2,240 solar panels produce 0.8 megawatts of electricity daily, allowing the resort to be almost fully off the grid. The batteries store excess electricity that can be used overnight.
Drinking water straight from the tap! Through reverse osmosis machines, salt water from the ocean is pumped through a series of membrane-contained pipes, filtering out salt and small particles, resulting in pure, clean drinking water. Two hundred forty thousand liters of water can be stored at any given time in concrete bunkers underground, providing guests with the cleanest drinking water straight from the tap. After that, the resort’s wastewater is treated through helophyte filters and used to irrigate the plants and grass around the resort.
Pools are everywhere
The Hummingbird Pool: Located next to Breeze, it is one of two swimming pools available to all in-house guests and day pass users, with a depth of 1.5 meters. A towel station is located at the poolside, where you can pick up clean towels and drop off used towels in the designated bay. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and electrical charging points can be found at the base of the umbrellas to charge your electrical items quickly. Showers can also be found poolside. Pool service is available from Breeze restaurant.
Hibiscus Pool: This 1.5-meter-deep pool is located below the Hummingbird pool. It offers a towel station, sun loungers, umbrellas, electrical charging points, showers, and toilets. It also has a pool bar and deck, perfect for poolside cocktails and snacks!
The Lagoon: The Caribbean’s largest man-made, cliff-edge, ocean-fed lagoon, the size of a football field, can be found next to Bobbie’s Beach Club. Designed to be enjoyed by all, there are hammocks and swings in the shallow end and a sunken American school bus at 30 feet deep, creating an artificial reef for those seeking to learn how to dive. Statia Divers by Golden Rock Resort teaches various PADI courses from Discover Scuba Diving to Deep Specialty to Divemaster. The lagoon conveniently offers an on-resort location for confined water training, Discover Scuba Diving, and Seal and Sassy classes.
The Hummingbird and Hibiscus pools are open from sunrise to sunset, and the lagoon is open from 10 a.m. to sunset. There are no lifeguards on duty; swimming is at your own risk.
Make time for a massage
The Rock Spa: Nestled amidst the fauna and flora, The Rock, the new in-house spa, offers a range of treatments guaranteed to rejuvenate your body and soul. Let the soothing ambiance, coupled with the mesmerizing presence of hummingbirds, transport you to a realm of tranquility where every treatment is a journey to revitalization. There is something for everyone, from massages and body scrubs to facials and bath soaks.
The Rock is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and treatments are bookable via reservations.
Packages
7 Night Stay and Dive Package
The price starts at $1,940 per person, sharing a two-bedroom cottage.
What’s included:
- Round trip airport / seaport transfers
- Pre-dinner welcome drink
- 7 nights in a luxurious room, suite of cottage
- Daily breakfast
- 5 days of 2 morning dives with Statia Divers
- Transfer to and from the dive boat
- Snacks during surface interval
- Tanks and weights
- Nitrox if certified
- Not included: Marine Park fee $30, Rental equipment $50
Accommodations
Great rooms with great views
Golden Rock Nature Resort is where life slows, and your adventurous spirit rises. The resort’s 70 spacious guest rooms and suites, featuring expansive oceanfront views, evoke a sense of effortless, relaxed comfort. All accommodations offer open-air corridors, private balconies, sustainable amenities, and modern conveniences.
Deluxe Ocean View Room: This room is comfortable and spacious, with the right touch of elegance, privacy, stunning ocean or garden views, and all the details and amenities that make one feel at home.
Villa Suite: Contemporary in design, the villas enjoy 650 sq. feet of privacy, including a combined living area and kitchenette, upscale amenities, and a large balcony overlooking the Atlantic. All Villas have direct access to the resort’s second pool, pool bar, and breathtaking oceanfront views.
Golden Rock Suite: Immerse yourself in a perfectly fitted 860 sq. feet living room with a full kitchen, spacious terrace, and separate master bedroom overlooking stunning ocean vistas beyond.
One-Bedroom Cottage: Unique in design, the cottages are 560 sq. feet and feel more like a private home than a hotel room. Beyond the elegantly appointed living area, separate bedroom, large bathroom, and kitchenette, each cottage has a little garden and a private porch, perfect for outdoor dining amidst the hotel’s lush tropical garden.
Two-Bedroom Cottage: Ideal for divers, families, or close friends, the two-bedroom cottage is over 785 sq. feet and has a spacious living area, two bedrooms, a separate bathroom, a kitchenette, a private porch, and a garden. Amidst the hotel’s lush garden, the cottages offer added privacy and seclusion while only a few steps away from the hotel amenities, such as the pool, restaurant, and beach club. (See Golden Rock Resort video)
Diving / Diving Site(s)
The best diving in the Caribbean?
The Diving
Statia Divers is located within Golden Rock Resort and overlooks the windward coastline. The resort’s experienced PADI dive instructors offer valet-guided dives tailored to your comfort and experience level. They offer ScubaPro rental gear, and Nitrox is complimentary to all certified divers.
We teach various PADI courses, from Discover Scuba Diving to Deep Specialty to Divemaster. With the largest, ocean-fed, cliff-edge lagoon in the Caribbean on site, which hides an American school bus at 30 feet, we can kickstart your dive adventure or continue your education in a truly spectacular and unique setting.
Statia is one of the best-kept secrets of the Caribbean. National Geographic stated that Statia’s pristine waters are the “best diving in the Caribbean.” In 2023, the island topped the Scuba Diving Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards list, celebrating the best diving in the world. Statia was ranked #1 for Best Wreck Diving, Best Macro Life, and Best Marine Environment. Statia also ranked Top 10 in several other categories, including Advanced Diving, Best Value, and Best Overall Destination.
At Statia Divers, we have an incredible diversity of dive sites. Our repertoire includes wall dives, wreck dives, archaeological dives, lava flow dives, drift dives, and night dives. Statia is a beautiful place to pursue specialty certifications, such as Deep, Wreck, or Enriched Air Nitrox Diver.
The dive sites are primarily located on the protected leeward side of the island and are a short 5-20-minute boat ride from the harbor. Our dive sites range from 35 feet to 102 feet. The weather in Statia is pleasant year-round. The air temperature is typically between 80 and 86 degrees, and the water temperature is typically between 78.8 and 84.2 degrees.
Divers are treated to an incredible range of underwater species in our protected marine reserve. Four species of sea turtles are regularly spotted both on the surface and underwater. Pods of dolphins and whales traverse through the region, following their migration paths. Enormous Caribbean lobsters and queen conchs abound. Macro species like lettuce sea slugs, flamingo tongue snails, arrow crabs, Pederson cleaning shrimp, and nudibranchs can be spotted by eagle-eye divers. Caribbean reef sharks, black tip reef sharks, and nurse sharks patrol our coral reefs. Stingrays, spotted eagle rays, and the occasional manta rays majestically glide through the water. Solitary fish, schools, and shoals of Caribbean fish are too numerous to delight divers at all of our dive sites.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
An ocean view while you eat
Golden Rock’s two restaurants offer scrupulous menus and views that are as good as the food. You get on island time quickly at Golden Rock with the eats and the ocean breeze. It’s a great way to decompress after a fun day of diving at Kids Sea Camp.
Breeze
A highlight for islanders alike, Breeze is the destination’s premier restaurant, overlooking the hotel’s unobstructed oceanfront views. Breeze is the go-to spot for any meal, featuring exquisite dishes with fresh local ingredients and global flavors. An array of exciting cocktails is always available to accompany that Caribbean postcard-perfect sunset.
Bobbie’s Beach Club
Bobbie’s Beach Club is located at the foot of the cliff where the Quill Volcano meets the Atlantic Ocean. A panoramic ocean view awaits here, with the neighboring islands, St. Barths and St. Kitts, curiously watching. Relax on the sun deck, where palm trees and bougainvilleas provide shade, and cool off in the infinity lagoon, where hammocks and swings provide that ultimate holiday feeling.
Enjoy delicious fusion cuisine, from freshly prepared sushi to traditional Italian pizza, or savor the taste of the Caribbean from our range of BBQ specialty menus. All this is under the beats of the DJ or live music. Bobbie’s Beach Club Bobbie’s Beach Club is a place where luxury and the relaxed Caribbean island feel come together. It is where friends and family relax and make memories to last a lifetime.
Bobbie’s Beach Club is also a fun and exciting place to learn how to scuba dive or even free dive. With the Caribbean’s largest man-made, ocean-fed lagoon, with a depth of up to 10m, it’s the perfect place to get your feet wet and explore the underwater world. Beneath the water, divers and snorkelers alike can explore the submerged school bus, the lagoon’s artificial reef, become certified with us, and become a true buddy of Bobbie’s.
Activities
There is so much to do besides dive
Multipurpose Sports Field: Basketball, Football, & Tennis Enjoy an exciting game of basketball or football or a tennis match with friends and loved ones on our multipurpose sports field. Showcase your skills and have fun while basking in the beautiful resort surroundings and the view of the Quill.
Pickleball and Padel Courts: Golden Rock Resort features pickleball and padel courts down by the lagoon. Although padel and pickleball have many similarities, they are completely different games with unique characteristics, courts, equipment, rules, and techniques. These unique features attract a diverse range of players, making padel and pickleball the fastest-growing sports globally. Try it out!
Ocean Front Gym: Located next to the outdoor yoga platform, the fully equipped gym has treadmills, bikes, cross trainers, and a range of free-standing weights and weight machines. Toilets, showers, and lockers are also within the building and accessible 24/7.
Mini Golf: Enjoy a fun and leisurely game of mini golf, perfect for individuals and families. Challenge your family and friends or compete for the best score as you navigate through the 17-hole course surrounded by breathtaking views over to St. Barths.
Playground: A large outdoor playground where the kids can spend hours of fun!
Board Games: Whether you’re looking for classic games like chess or modern favorites such as Monopoly, our selection of board games caters to all ages and preferences. During your stay, create memorable moments with laughter, competition, and camaraderie.
Know Before You Go
Traveling to St. Eustatius
Fly personal to St. Eustatius with Tradewind Aviation. Tradewind offers private charter flights directly into F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) throughout the Caribbean, including San Juan, the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, and beyond. Two pilots fly Tradewind flights in 8-seater air-conditioned and pressurized Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. Enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments onboard, including wine, beer, and champagne. Operating the largest fleet of on-demand Pilatus PC-12s in the US and Caribbean, Tradewind offers the best availability in the industry for private charter to St. Eustatius, giving guests control over their time and confidence in their travels.
Speed Boat: From St. Kitts, Robert Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) Paradise Sun Charters will take care of your trip to St. Eustatius. A comfortable speed boat will transport you with a cold beverage from Port Zante to St. Eustatius.
Air: From St. Maarten, Princess Julianna International Airport (SXM), take a scenic 18-minute plane ride with Winair to F.D. Roosevelt International Airport (EUX). Upon arrival at St. Eustatius, meet one of our friendly drivers, who will take you to Golden Rock Resort in 10 minutes. As a valued guest, I feel that all airport transfers are complimentary. Alternatively, arrival by private jet or charter is possible, and our drivers will await your arrival.
Sea: From St. Maarten, Take the Makana Ferry to St. Eustatius. En route, the ferry calls at other ports, such as Saba and St. Kitts.
Air: From St. Barths Gustaf III Airport (SBH). We are excited to announce the new connectivity between St Barths and St Eustatius via St Barths Executive, a French operator managing a fleet of private planes that can seat up to 8 passengers (depending on luggage).
Little Cayman Beach Resort with Reef Divers
Introduction
Individual Family Dive Vacations
Reflecting Little Cayman’s quaint charm and intimate warmth, Little Cayman Beach Resort is a secluded oceanfront oasis with a relaxed island ambiance, a boutique spa, Caribbean-inspired cuisine, and gracious personal service that offers an authentic island experience. It is perfect for a unique family vacation. (Check out what we have planned for Kids Sea Camp in 2027)
Little Cayman Beach Resort offers hotel-style rooms with similar ocean and beach views. Each room has a spacious bedroom, bathroom, and sitting area with a balcony overlooking the pool, beach, and ocean. This resort is an excellent getaway for a family dive vacation. There is paddle boarding, snorkeling, fly fishing, bike riding, caves to climb, and pristine reefs to dive.
Why is Little Cayman so relaxing? There are only about 170 full-time residents on the entire island, and they spend a lot of time under the water.
The island had been named a top dive site in the Caribbean for its iconic Bloody Bay Wall, year-round perfect diving conditions, pristine coral reefs, and spectacular marine life with our unique valet diving service, all aboard a fleet of custom Newton-built dive boats. The resort brings this magnificent experience beneath the sea directly onto the sand.
Family Dive Adventures packages are custom-designed to fit your family’s needs. They include seven nights, all meals, coffee, tea, and juices, and meals and snacks provided on dive boats. We offer all PADI courses with our packages and customize them to your kids’ needs. Private dive guides and instructors are available.
Rates, Prices & Specials
Here are the rates for Little Cayman Beach Resort in the Cayman Islands. Remember when booking with Family Dives Adventures, you always get the 5% loyality discount on retail rates.
Packages
Classic Cayman Diver 7-night package
Starting from $2,695 Pool view room
- Seven nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (dinner arrival day through breakfast departure day)
- Drink package – 21 included drinks**
- 6 X 2-tank AM + 5 x 1-tank PM boat dives (17 boat dives total for 7-night package)
- Morning dive trip to Little Cayman to dive Bloody Bay Marine Park included as one of the AM dives at no additional charge (weather permitting)
- Complimentary use of dive computer (we require them)
- Complimentary WiFi
- Welcome rum punch
- Manager’s cocktail reception
- Airport ground transfers
- Resort fees, taxes, & gratuities – except dive gratuities, which are not included
*Prices listed are per person based on double occupancy in standard (lowest priced) rooms. Rates for other resorts, room types, occupancy, dates, and packages may differ. All travel requires a Saturday arrival with a 7-night stay.
**Drink packages include a choice of menu cocktails and well drinks, single-serve beers and ciders, house wines by the glass, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Cayman Escape 7-Night Dive Package
Starting from $2,395 Pool view room
- Seven nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner daily (dinner arrival day through breakfast departure day)
- No drinks
- 6 X 2-tank AM (12 boat dives total for 7-night package)
- Morning dive trip to Cayman Brac included as one of the AM dives at no additional charge (weather permitting)
- Complimentary use of dive computer (we require them)
- Complimentary WiFi
- Welcome rum punch
- Manager’s cocktail reception
- Airport ground transfers
- Resort fees, taxes, & gratuities – except dive gratuities, which are not included
**Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy in a standard (lowest-priced) room. Rates for other resorts, room types, occupancy, dates, and packages may differ. All travel requires a Saturday arrival with a 7-night stay.
Accommodations
The beach and ocean is everywhere
The Cayman Islands Resort guest rooms include new furnishings inspired by tropical colors and textures, Caribbean themed artwork, newly decorated bathrooms, fixtures, and flooring. The resort has a total of 40 air-conditioned, spacious rooms situated in two-story ‘palm-tree height’ buildings and surrounded by lush tropical foliage.

Features of the 28 Pool view rooms that encircle the pool
- Two doubles or one king-size bed
- Individually controlled air conditioning and ceiling fan
- Flat-screen television, DVD players, and alarm clock
- Refrigerator
- Coffee-maker complete with Wolfgang Puck brand coffee
- Beverage center
- Private bathroom with shower
- A hairdryer and deluxe bath amenity package
- Room safe
- Free Wifi
12 Oceanfront Rooms
These rooms are located directly on the beach with spectacular views of the turquoise water and reef.
Here are the additional amenities:
- Private balcony or patio with sun loungers
- Microwave
- Wet bar
- Seating area with couch and coffee table
- Housekeeping service is provided daily.
- Little Cayman Beach Resort offers oceanfront and pool view rooms with two doubles or one king bed. A maximum of four guests may stay in a room.
- The oceanfront rooms are slightly larger and have a microwave and a small lounge area.
Please Note: All rooms and buildings within our Cayman Islands resort are smoke-free.
Diving / Diving Site(s)
Valet Diving: Experience diving like never before
Almost too many to list, but we are gonna list them anyway
3 dives per day and 1 Three tank day over Cayman Brac
Barracuda Bight: This is the next to the last site in Bloody Bay. Little Cayman Dive Sites: We have fingers or outcroppings from the wall in this area. You will find the Sailfin Blenny and many other juveniles and small fish in the shallows. There are many crevices and overhangs to explore here. Lobster and Spider Crabs are often found here, along with Nurse Sharks, Green Moray, and Black and White Moray Eels.
Blacktop Boulevard: Named for the Blacktip sharks that have been seen on occasion, you are likely to see Caribbean Reef sharks and Eagle Rays. A Manta Ray has also been seen cruising the blue at this site. Look into the deep crevices and come face to face with big-eyed Squirrelfish, Lobsters, and various blennies and gobies. Giant barrel sponges dwarf divers as they glide by. In the sand, look out for the tiny garden eels that retreat into their sand burrows as you approach.
Bus Stop: Large barrel sponges, blue chromis, and other schooling fish make this site busy and colorful. A sand chute down into the deep also makes Bus Stop a great dive—keep your eyes open for passing Eagle rays, Turtles, and Stingrays, and check the Vase Sponges for Goby cleaner fish, Crinoids, and Arrow Crabs.
Cascades: This is the first and most northern point in the Jackson Point area. Once you’ve entered the water and started down, you will understand the meaning of Cascades. This is the area where it all cascades down to “La La Land”. You will find turtles, sharks, eagles, and Stingrays on this far-out site, as well as conch. The coral heads in this area look like small mountain ranges.
Coconut Walk: This spectacular site toward the west end of the Bloody Bay Wall is like a smaller main wall split in two – a mini-wall at a depth of 30ft and the main wall at 60ft. As you navigate the site – keep your eyes open for pillar coral and the turtles and stingrays that swim around them. Angelfish (Gray, Queen, and French) and Parrotfish are usually found on the mini-wall. Juveniles of all sorts (including Butterflyfish, Spotted drums) can be found. Occasionally, lemon (or yellow) rays can also be found here. Off the main wall is a favorite place to spot cruising reef sharks.
Cumber’s Caves: Definitely request this site if you like swim-throughs. There are two or three that will take you from the sandy boulevard and spit you out on the sheer wall at about 80-100ft. Aside from the exciting swim-throughs, you can also see a variety of juveniles on the mini wall. If you stick to the sandy area, look out for eagle rays feeding, Southern stingrays, and numerous garden eels.
Donna’s Delight: Donna’s Delight is much like Marilyn’s Cut. One thing that seems to be abundant on this site is Flamingo Tongue shells. Nurse Sharks are frequently seen along with these sites. You may find Flying Gurnards in the shallow areas, too. Sailfin Blenny is common, but you need a trained eye to see them. They are only about 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″ long. They dance above their burrows and fleet back into them when approached.
Eagle Ray Roundup: This site is a large sandy area typical of Jackson Bay. Occasionally, we find more than one or two Eagle Rays here. The location is surrounded by extensive coral head formations bordered by the wall reef. You will find large parrotfish munching on the sand and Sting Rays and Hog Snapper. There are also friendly French Angels and Grouper here.
Great Wall East & West: There is only one word you can use to describe the Great Wall West & East dive sites – AWESOME! The majestic vertical wall is unbelievable, and in the shallows, you will find large coral heads teeming with life. Ensure you swim away from the wall to appreciate it in its full glory. Black coral, large sponges in yellow and red, and critters dot the wall, making a great photo, and if you look closely, you might see the occasional Seahorse or Lettuce-leaf Seaslug.
Jackson Reef: This site abounds with marine life. During the day, you will find some very friendly French Angels who will be more than willing to have their pictures taken. Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Yellow Sting Rays, and Moray Eels (both green and black and white), are frequently seen here. In and around the rubble area, you will find many small fish, such as Yellow Headed Jaw Fish, Sand Tile Fish, Sand Divers, and a variety of juveniles. For the night diver, there are a lot of night dwellers to be seen – Octopus, Basket Starfish, and Orange Ball Anemones, to name a few.
Joy’s Joy: The last dive site in the Bloody Bay area, with coral fingers and a mini wall, is a great place to spot the Caribbean spiny lobster. Eagle rays and sharks can be seen cruising through on your dive and be sure to check all the nooks and crannies for huge Green moray eels and smaller Spotted morays. The schooling fish, such as Yellowtail Snapper and blue-striped Grunts, will keep you company throughout the dive.
Lea’s Lookout: Lobsters, Arrow Crabs, Yellowhead Jawfish, & Sailfin Blennies are among the critters that can be seen. Sailfin Blennies live in holes on the hardpan between the coral outcrops, and the Jawfish live in cylindrical burrows among the rubble and sand – hovering vertically above their homes. Sharks and Eagle Rays can be seen cruising the site along with Hawksbill & Green Turtles. Check cracks and crevices for green or spotted Moray Eels.
Marilyn’s Cut: This site has some excellent swim-throughs where two fairly deep canyons cut into the reef. Lots of yellow tube sponges, along with red rope sponges, dot the wall. The friendly resident Nassau grouper (Benji) and her friend will happily accompany you throughout your dive and even pose for a photo if you are lucky!
The Meadows: The Meadows is one of our favorite shallow dive sites. With sand at 35 feet total of Southern Stingrays, Conch, Garden Eels, Razorfish, and a maze of beautifully encrusted coral heads sitting right under the boat, you could spend your whole dive without straying far from the ship. For those who prefer deep dives, the wall is a few kicks away through short swim-throughs and out into the amphitheater, which is a large natural part of the wall.
Randy’s Gazebo: The chimney and archway are the greatest points of interest here. The entrance to the chimney is around 40 ft, and then it’s 40 ft straight down. An excellent opportunity to head west on the wall around 75ft where you can check out the large and plentiful barrel sponges. You will then encounter a great photo op – a striking archway that makes the perfect frame for divers or fish hovering in the blue water. There are also a few caves and a mini-chimney to be discovered. Look out for Black dragons, Butterflyfish, and turtles throughout the dive.
The Mixing Bowl: Named Mixing Bowl because this is where the Jackson’s Bight section meets the Bloody Bay section – which in turn makes for a great site with a sheer wall and rugged coral fingers. Swim through here is great and can pop you out on the wall to admire the purple, red, yellow, and orange sponges. Schools of blue Chromis, grunts, and snappers will be in the shallows, looking out for the huge barracuda under the boat.
Mike’s Mount: This dive site has many things to discover. As you move north of the Cascades site, you can look at some history. The first thing to be found is a small cannon on this site. Moving to the north, there are many anchors to be seen. You will have to look for these artifacts, which have been transformed to resemble their surroundings. There are tunnels through the wall (to “La La Land”) as well as a cannon in the shallows. We’ve seen sharks, turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, eels, etc. There are friendly Queen Trigger and French Angels, as well as Grouper.
Sarah’s Set: This site affords both deep and shallow diving. You can take the drop-off to “La La Land” or cruise through many canyons and sand flats. You will find friendly French Angels and Queen Triggers. Among the rubble areas, you will find Jaw Fish, Sand Tile Fish, and many other small dwellers on the reef. You may also see sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, and turtles swimming here occasionally. Some great tunnels open onto the wall.
Dive Training
- PADI SASY program: Six mornings of activities from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. SASY kids keep fins, masks, and snorkels.
- PADI SEAL TEAM: Six mornings of activities from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, including all 5 aqua missions. SEAL kids keep fins, masks, and snorkels.
- PADI Open Water: All dives needed for certification (eLearning is not included. For eLearning, you will have to pay PADI directly. The link will be sent to you 4 weeks before departure to be completed prior to arrival.)
- PADI Dive Master course: RSVP 14 DAYS REQUIRED $675 add-on to package price/Contact Margo 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning and Crew Pack included
- PADI Dive Rescue Diver: RSVP $175 add-on to package price. Contact Margo at 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning, and Crew Pack included.
See more about Kids Sea Camp dive training.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Great food in a great location
The Bird of Paradise Dining: Staffed by an international team of trained Chefs, the Bird of Paradise appeals to the most discerning taste buds and serves a wide variety of gourmet international and Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Choose to dine in our air-conditioned dining room, screened lanai, or al fresco on the patio with our resident iguanas! The Chef will happily accommodate those with special dietary or vegetarian needs.
Beach Nuts Bar: Beach Nuts is centrally located at the resort, adjacent to the pool, and overlooking the Caribbean Sea beyond. This is the hub of island activity, and you will find something for everyone. The menu includes many local and imported beers, fine wine, tropical cocktails, premium spirits, and Cuban cigars.
The week at Kids Sea Camp can include events such as a Manager’s Rum Punch reception, karaoke, trivia, and other theme nights. Beach Nuts Bar also features a pub-inspired menu of lighter fare.
For the artistically inclined, collect a piece of driftwood from the beach and use the selection of paints to add to Little Cayman Beach Resort’s ever-growing collection of Bar Art.
Dining hours are tailored to dive schedules, including extended hours to accommodate night dives.
Activities
There’s more than diving at Little Cayman
Little Cayman is not all about diving Bloody Bay Wall, it is but it isn’t. On the island, you can fish, get a massage, hiking in a national park, kayak, paddleboard, spend an afternoon in a unique island Museum, or get a wonderful massage.
Fishing: Little Cayman Beach Resort offers different fishing experiences for anglers of all levels and is a great way for people to experience the entire island. Little Cayman is an angler’s dream with Bonefish, Tarpon, and great Tuna fishing. Call Tom about booking an afternoon or a full-day charter at 803.419.2556.
Please note: Little Cayman Sport Fishing is closed seasonally between August 15th – October 31st.
Other water sports: The South Sound offers protected shallow waters for enjoying kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Single Kayak
- Double Kayak
- Paddleboard
All watersports are available during the dive shop opening hours, 7 am-5 pm.
Biking: Beach cruiser bicycles are available for guests during the day and with an elevation of only 40ft (12M), there are not too many hills to worry about on Little Cayman!
Hiking: The Salt Rocks Nature Trail is located on the Western end of Little Cayman. It is a historic site with abandoned phosphate mines and a railway track and is home to migratory birds, rock iguanas, butterflies, orchids, and tropical plants.
Tennis & Basketball: Feel free to exercise and have fun on the floodlit tennis and basketball court! Due to the heat, playing hoop and tennis at night is recommended.
Hammocks: Relax and unwind in the hammocks along the beach. This is the perfect spot to read or catch an afternoon nap.
Little Cayman Museum: Founded by Linton Tibbetts, this quaint museum displays over 150 years of historical information, artifacts, and an inside look at Island life. Mr. “T” was born on Cayman Brac in 1923 and has been a major contributor to preserving the island’s history. He has a great passion for the rich culture and heritage of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac and has established these museums to share with island visitors.
Little Cayman Marine Museum: Also founded by Linton Tibbetts, the museum pays tribute to the many sea captains who called the Cayman Islands their home and offers a glimpse of their colorful past.
National Trust House: The National Trust is dedicated to preserving and educating the public about the island’s natural environment. The National Trust Visitor’s Centre offers library services, local crafts, homemade ice cream, and viewing platforms for bird-watching.
The Nature Spa: Nature Spa offers a unique spa experience for both men and women. Carefully selected products ensure you are at one with nature. Each visit is a combined endeavor for you and your spa therapist. Whether your goal is to relax, rejuvenate, or renew, our experienced and licensed professional will help to take you on a journey that promotes a healthy mind, body, and skin.
Massages offered at the Nature Spa
- Swedish
- Deep Tissue
- Pregnancy massage
- Acupressure
- Reflexology
Know Before You Go
Grand Cayman then to Little Cayman
Getting to Grand Cayman is as easy as flying to any major city in the US. Almost every major US airport has a direct flight to Grand Cayman. Once you get to Grand Cayman, you must take a flight on Cayman Airways to get to Little Cayman.
The main airport in the Cayman Islands, Owen Roberts International Airport, is located on the largest Island, Grand Cayman. The sister island of Cayman Brac also has its airport, Charles Kirkconnell Airport. These two airports serve as the Cayman Islands’ main ports of entry for visitors. Daily inter-island flights serve Little Cayman.
There are approximately 116 weekly flights into the Cayman Islands, including 42 flights each week between Miami and Grand Cayman, with connections to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Cayman Airways and American Airlines provide non-stop service from Miami.
With eight airlines flying into Grand Cayman from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, booking your Cayman Islands experience is easier than ever!
Cayman Airways and Cayman Express provide inter-island service between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, making travel to the Cayman Islands quick and easy.
Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort
Introduction
Why Dominica?
We have fallen in love with this island and its people and are looking forward to welcoming you back to Dominica to enjoy some of the best diving and presentations of soft and hard corals in the Caribbean. With unparalleled top-side adventure, Dominica is a memorable off-the-beaten-path family vacation that will far exceed your expectations. We are very proud to offer both Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort to create this year’s Kids Sea Camp family dive adventure vacations for you to enjoy.
We thank you for trusting us to create your family dive vacations, and we hope you will join us in Dominica. Our family dive vacation is hosted at Fort Young Hotel. We will be diving with Fort Young Diver on private dive boats. Springtime is Sperm Whale season in Dominica, so we are super excited to have this opportunity. These magnificent creatures are well known to Dominica and to her people. We have planned a very special whale-watching trip for your family during these visits.
A portal to the untrammeled beauty of Dominica, Fort Young Hotel facilitates the island’s most memorable adventures. Whether that be hiking the longest continuous trail in the Caribbean, diving amongst unspoiled reefs, or rappelling down Titou Gorge. The weather on land or under the sea, Dominica is perfect for a family vacation.
There is no better place to relocate your inner serenity and revitalize your soul than Fort Young Hotel. As a self-sustaining island with nutrient-rich food, verdant natural splendor, and abundant sunshine, wellness is at the heart of our culture. From in-room massages to an oceanfront infinity pool, Fort Young Hotel is the ultimate setting to unwind and replenish
With towering mountains and lush rainforests as its backdrop, Dominica is a unique diver’s paradise. Imagine being the only dive boat on the ocean all day long, with your family by your side.
Fort Young Hotel is the perfect destination for family scuba vacations, adventure trips, and Kids Sea Campers. Whether you’re visiting Dominica for a diving getaway, a Caribbean hiking tour, or a conference, our oceanfront location in the historic capital, Roseau, makes us Dominica’s finest heritage hotel.
For families interested in scuba diving, Fort Young is fully equipped with a PADI 5-star Dive Dominica dive shop and a jetty where boats pick you up for diving, snorkeling, or whale watching excursions. Hikers can also arrange a variety of nearby excursions, such as treks to waterfalls in the rainforest and birdwatching trips, through our on-site activities desk.
If you’re looking for traditional Caribbean relaxation, enjoy our rooftop jacuzzi, infinity pool, gym, and spa. Don’t miss the Palisades restaurant, where you can dine while watching the sunset over the sea, along with our vibrant cocktail bar and café.
Fort Young Hotel, built to protect the island, has always commanded a position like no other. Located in Roseau, Dominica’s capital, and only “downtown,” it sits in the main marina with the ferry port and market just a minute’s walk from its entrance.
Fort Young Hotel is an ideal place to experience Dominica’s vibrant culture and delicious cuisine. From your room’s balcony, the sights and sounds of the capital vanish, replaced by the gentle lapping of waves and the endless expanse of the sea and sky.
For scuba diving families, there is a fully equipped PADI shop, Dive Dominica, at the Fort Young Hotel. Whether diving, snorkeling, or heading off into the bay to watch Sperm whales.
Hikers can arrange various excursions near the hotel, such as treks to waterfalls in the rainforest and bird-watching trips from Fort Young Hotel’s activities desk.
Fort Young’s rooftop Jacuzzis, infinity pool, gymnasium, and spa are always available if you are looking for traditional Caribbean relaxation. Family Dive Adventures makes it easy for you to combine the best of both worlds: explore Dominica’s colorful underwater world during fascinating dives while also experiencing the natural and cultural wonders of the island with Fort Young’s land excursions. Other activities available are Yoga, gym, Zemi spa, kayaking, canyoning, turtle watching, and Whale Watching!
Packages
Fort Young Diver’s Dream dive package:
Package includes:
- 7 Nights’ Accommodation Pay For 6
- Daily Breakfast
- 5 Days of two-Tank Diving
- Unlimited shore diving (when a cruise ship isn’t docked)
- Waterfari Excursion (Trafalgar & Titou Gorge)
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers
- Marine Park Fees
- All Taxes And Charges
- Starting at $1,860 pp/dbl in an Oceanfront Room.
- Starting at $1,428 pp/ dbl in a Fort Mountain View Room
Terms & Conditions:
- Rates Are Applicable to FIT Bookings ONLY (Please Inquire About Our Group Rates)
- Cannot Cancel & Rebook (New booking Will NOT Be Approved)
- Cannot Be Combined With Other Offers
- Package Is Non-Modifiable
- Any Unused Portion of the Package Is Non-Refundable
- Hotel Reserves The Right To Cancel Offer At Anytime
- Room Upgrades are Available At A Surcharge
- Additional Nights Can Be Added On At Normal Rates
- Blackout Dates
If you have something else in mind or want further information, please contact us at 1.803.419.2556. Save an additional 5% when booking with Family Dive Adventures.
Accommodations
Rooms with an awesome view
Ocean Front Suites: Our finest accommodation. Each of our suites is named after a key figure from Dominica’s past and is fit for those appreciating a bit of grandeur today. All suites combine spectacular views from the bedroom and balcony with a giant double bed, a walk-through dressing room, along with two bathrooms, featuring both a whirlpool tub and shower. And for those wishing for some privacy to entertain in their exclusive quarters, the dining room table seats eight.
Ocean Front Rooms: Combining breathtaking views (some with wraparound balconies offering 270-degree vistas), there’s nothing but sky separating the balconies of our oceanfront rooms from the turquoise seas below. Families are well catered for, as four of the rooms interconnect, and every room comes with a bath with shower, cavernous cupboards to store your clothes and possessions, coffee making facilities, and a color TV.
Amenities and Features:
- Air conditioning
- Balcony or patio
- Bathrobes
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Cable TV service
- Ceiling fan
- Coffee/tea maker
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Free WiFi
- Free bottled water
- Free toiletries
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Hairdryer
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- In-room massage available
- In-room safe
- Iron/ironing board
- LCD TV
- Non-smoking
- Phone
- Premium TV channels
- Private bathroom
- Rainfall showerhead
- Refrigerator
- Room service (limited hours)
- Turndown service
Diving / Diving Site(s)
Be the only dive boat on the water
The Diving
By the time you are driven across the island from the airport to the hotel, you will be awestruck by the sheer rugged beauty of Dominica. These overwhelming sensations of The Nature Island are just a precursor to your introduction to the best part of Dominica: the underwater world! The dramatic mountains you traverse are mirrored in the topography of our dive sites. Cliff faces plunge into the Caribbean Sea, descending straight down 1,500 feet (460 meters), while pinnacles rise almost to the surface from the surrounding depths, and volcanic ridges slope off into deep blue water.
These dive sites feature thriving coral reefs and schools of midwater fish, including Chromis, Creole Wrasse, and Sergeant Majors. Larger pelagics patrol the outer edges of the reefs, and barracudas, turtles, and stingrays frequently swim through dive groups, creating delightful photographic opportunities.
Our reefs consist of volcanic formations with ledges, crevices, and swim-throughs that provide refuge for a myriad of small critters often considered rare in other destinations. Divers on a week-long package can expect to see seahorses and frogfish frequently. At the same time, rarer encounters with batfish, flying gurnards, yellowhead jawfish, upside-down jellyfish, and flamingo tongue snails can also be found with careful searching.
Dominica’s reputation for colorful diving stems from the abundance of sponge life and crinoids. First-time divers in Dominica will be amazed by the variety of colors, including yellow tube sponges, azure vase sponges, pink vase sponges, green finger sponges, lavender rope sponges, and crinoids of every hue.
You might expect Dominica’s many rivers and lush interior to lead to limited visibility, but once again, Dominica defies logic. Thanks to our very deep waters close to shore and sediments from our volcanic sands, our visibility averages over 80 feet (24 meters) throughout the year. After heavy rains, sediment settles within hours, allowing you to return to the water with good visibility.
Water temperatures vary from a high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) from July through December to a low of 76 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) from January through June. The windy season occurs around April, while the rainy season is in the summer months from July to September. Despite the possibility of tropical storms during these months, the weather is often characterized by calm seas, sunny skies, and perfect diving conditions!
In reality, there is no bad time of year for diving in Dominica. With good visibility, warm seas, excellent marine life, uncrowded dive sites, and skilled dive staff, most divers find themselves eagerly wanting to return.
Dive Sites
Scott’s Head Pinnacle: Recently listed as one of the top dive sites worldwide by Scuba Travel in the UK, few would disagree with this assessment. Most dive staff would dive here every day if it weren’t for the sometimes challenging winds and currents. On those days when conditions are perfect, divers are in for a special treat. This pinnacle sits on the edge of a volcanic crater, and you can actually swim through the crater wall into the interior. The wall is covered in gorgonians, giant barrel sponges, and whip corals, often patrolled by pelagic fishes like horse-eye jacks, barracudas, turtles, yellowtail snappers, and ceros. The challenge with Scott’s Head Pinnacle is knowing where to look! This site is better suited for intermediate and advanced divers unless conditions are perfect.
Champagne Reef: This site is another reflection of the sheer volcanic power simmering just out of sight. In shallow water, just 15 feet (5 meters) deep, volcanic vents release hot water and bubbles, creating the effect of diving in champagne. The surrounding reef is well-known for critters like seahorses, frogfish, reef squid, and lobsters, and it also makes an excellent night dive. You will usually explore Champagne Reef first and then enjoy the bubbles during your safety stop. Keep an eye out for the resident reef squid, and expect to see snorkelers above you! This dive is suitable for all skill levels.
Nose Reef: This sloping reef, located in the central part of the West Coast, is named for its three protruding ledges, which resemble a nose. The deepest ledge sits at 120 feet (36 meters), while the shallowest is at 40 feet (12 meters). However, the best diving is at around 80 feet (24 meters), on top of the deeper ledge. This ridge extends into the current and is thus home to thriving sponges of every color and size. The dense coral and sponge life here make it a favorite spot for divers, as well as a popular hangout for turtles and pelagic fishes!
Dive Training
SASY (PADI): Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth is for kids age five to seven. Essentially, SASY is snorkeling using scuba equipment instead of a snorkel. Once a child completes the SASY program they receive a SASY participant card and wall certificate.
SEAL Team (PADI): This is a confined water scuba experience for ages eight and up. Kids learn basic scuba skills and do “AquaMissions” in a pool where they are limited to a maximum depth of 12 feet (3.6m). Children who progress and accomplish more skills become a “Master Seal” and are then certified to a maximum depth of 20 feet (6m) with an instructor.
JOW (PADI): Children 10 and up can take the full PADI Open Water Diver scuba certification course with specific age limitations for scuba diving. Kids can progress to Junior Open Water diver, which allows them to dive with a PADI-certified parent, guardian, or professional to a maximum of 40 feet.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Real Caribbean dining
Palisades Restaurant: Discover the ultimate dining experience in Roseau at Palisades Restaurant. Our establishment seamlessly blends the finest local cuisine with innovative twists on international classics, offering a fusion of traditional and contemporary flavors. Indulge in delicious Caribbean dishes, including locally caught seafood and our signature pumpkin and ginger soup, all sourced from the best local farms. You can also enjoy our take on a Dominican classic—hearty Provision Pie. With breathtaking views from every table on our terrace, and the only air-conditioned dining area in Roseau for those who prefer a cooler environment, Palisades Restaurant is truly an unforgettable place to dine.
Activities
A perfect balance of land and sea
- Waterfall hikes
- Deep-Sea fishing
- Whale watching
- Bird watching
- Canyoning
- Hiking
Please note these are add-ons and not included in the KSC package.
Know Before You Go
It just got easier than before
Direct Flights: American Airlines offers direct flights from Miami. United Airlines also provides direct service.
Connecting Flights: You can connect to Dominica (DOM) through a larger Caribbean hub. Common hubs include:
- San Juan (SJU) in Puerto Rico,
- Barbados (BGI),
- Antigua (ANU),
- St. Lucia (SLU)
- Guadeloupe (PTP)
Costs: The round-trip fare from SJU is approximately $400 to $600, and from SXM, $300 to $500. You can check on www.hopper.com and another good source is www.cheaptickets.com. Winn-Air is the best source from SXM.
Take the Ferry: Ride with the locals across from St. Lucia! It will take a little longer (3 hours), and yes, you are traveling across the Caribbean Sea. So on a bad day, you may run into a few rollers and white caps. But the trips only cost about $50 per person.
Please give us a call if you need some help at 803-419-2556
Cayman Brac Beach Resort with Reef Divers
Introduction
Discover the marvels of the Caribbean Sea
Family Dive Adventures has provided our customers with scuba diving family vacations in the Cayman Islands for over 25 years. Margo Peyton chose Cayman Brac Reef Beach Resort because of its location, price point, and incredible dive team. Call us to book your Cayman Brac or Little Cayman family dive vacation any time of year. We are experts in family dive trips and have been diving and representing the Cayman Islands for 30 years. We can arrange and custom design your family dive trip. Getting certified or enjoying diving as a family. Give us a call. We offer our expert advise for free.
This reasort offers 1 and 2 bedrooms, along with some rooms that are perfectly set up for triple. Reef Divers is the onsite dive operation and offers fast, comfortable, state-of-the-art modern dive boats with bathrooms. Dive sites are minutes away and offer a variety of marine encounters. This resort has one large building with two floors of single rooms for diving guests and dive groups. Four rooms connect for larger families, and two have three queen beds.
The downstairs rooms allow you to walk right out onto a 140,000-gallon pool deck, while the upstairs rooms boast beautiful pool views, palm trees, and spectacular ocean views.
Valet Diving
At the Cayman Brac Reef Resort, no shirts, no shoes, and no worries. Discover the marvels of the Caribbean Sea with the Resort’s convenient “valet diving” service. Allow the resort’s experienced diving staff, Reef Divers, to handle the burden of setting up your dive gear and changing over your tanks, and all you have to carry is your snorkel gear and memories. Please relax and enjoy your ride on our custom-fleet dive boats while exploring the island’s elite diving sites. Submerge yourself in the pleasures of a dive as Reef Divers takes care of everything else. With this superior diving service, you only have to get on the boat and enjoy the ride. Reef Divers also offers up to 3 dives per day and night.
Save hundreds of dollars off your package when you book and build your vacation with Family Dive Adventures. Family Divers have been diving into the Cayman Islands since 1991. 2025 Kids Sea Camp Family Dive week: Cayman Brac Beach Resort: June 14th-June 21st, On sale now early booking 10% discount.
Each dive guests receive a dive bag at check-in to place their dive gear in from their room. The valet service starts on day one by picking up your dive gear in your room and taking it to the dive shop for you. Just leave your bag outside your room, and our dive team will get your gear to the boat and set it up on a SCUBA tank. Reef Divers also offers a complete line of rental gear for those who do not own their own, or you can contact Margo or Olivia at Family Dive Adventures and purchase what you need. Family Dive Adventures is a ScubaPro Premier dealer known to be the world’s best when outfitting kids and families with Scuba gear. When it comes to your family, we know deep down you want the best, and that’s why we sell SCUBAPRO.
Forget the hassle of heavy tanks because Reef Divers staff will change your tanks after every dive. At the end of a long dive, they will rinse your BCD and Regulators while you handle the light stuff, snorkel gear, and wetsuit.
Cayman Brac Resort has large camera and gear rinse tanks and a drying room for all your gear. Once you’ve experienced valet diving, a regular diving experience will never be the same.
Reef Divers is affiliated with PADI and the Universal Referral Program. They offer courses on everything from an introductory scuba dive to a Dive Master. However, all classes must be pre-booked except for Nitrox. After checking in, you’ll be asked to complete a history form and return it to the dive shop.
Rates, Prices & Specials
Here are the rates for Cayman Brac Beach Resort in the Cayman Islands. Remember when booking with Family Dives Adventures, you always get the 5% loyality discount on retail rates.
Packages
Cayman Brac Escape Package
7-Night Standard Package, from $2,095 pp dbl
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner daily (dinner arrival day through breakfast departure day)
- No drinks
- 6 X 2-tank AM (12 boat dives total for 7-night package)
- Morning dive trip to Little Cayman to dive Bloody Bay Marine Park included as one of the AM dives at no additional charge (weather permitting)
- Complimentary use of dive computer (we require them)
- Complimentary WiFi
- Welcome rum punch
- Manager’s cocktail reception
- Airport ground transfers
- Resort fees, taxes, & gratuities – except dive gratuities, which are not included
Prices listed are per person based on double occupancy in a standard (lowest-priced) room. Rates for other resorts, room types, occupancy, dates, and packages may differ. All travel requires a Saturday arrival with a 7-night stay.
Classic Cayman Dive Package
7-Night Standard Package, from $2,395 pp dbl
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- Free Nitrox
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (dinner arrival day through breakfast departure day)
- Drink package – 21 included drinks**
- 6 X 2-tank AM + 5 x 1-tank PM boat dives (17 boat dives total for 7-night package)
- Morning dive trip to Little Cayman to dive Bloody Bay Marine Park included as one of the AM dives at no additional charge (weather permitting)
- Free use of a dive computer (we require them)
- Free WiFi
- Welcome rum punch
- Manager’s cocktail reception
- Airport ground transfers
- Resort fees, taxes, & gratuities – except dive gratuities, which are not included
*Prices listed are per person based on double occupancy in standard (lowest priced) rooms. Rates for other resorts, room types, occupancy, dates, and packages may differ. All travel requires a Saturday arrival with a 7-night stay.
**Drink packages include a choice of menu cocktails and well drinks, single-serve beers and ciders, house wines by the glass, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Accommodations
A view ocean from every room
The Cayman Brac Beach Resort has stylish 33 ocean view rooms. That’s right every single room looks upon the ocean. Cayman Brac Beach Resort is in a two-story building surrounded by lush tropical foliage and landscaped gardens – perfect for your Caribbean island vacation. The design and architecture of the Cayman beach resort reflect the quaintness and charm of the tropical island style unique to Cayman Brac hotels.
- First floor rooms walk out onto the beach and pool area
- Second-floor rooms have clear ocean views and private balconies
- 4 two-bedrooms that connect to each other (#204/205, #202/203, #108/109, #104/105)
- #103, #104, and #105 are handicap accessible rooms
- All rooms have king or double beds
- #113 and #213 are triple rooms with 3 double beds in each room
Handicapped-Accessible Rooms
Our Cayman beach resort also offers three handicapped-accessible rooms
- Roll-in showers
- Easy access to the room
- Easy access to the pool area and full resort
Beautiful Amenity-Packed Accommodations
- Attractive Caribbean decor
- Two doubles or one king-size bed
- Two rooms have three double beds
- Patios or Balconies
- Individually controlled air conditioning, as well as an overhead ceiling fan
- Tiled or carpeted floors
- Color cable television
- Radio/alarm clock
- IDD telephone
- Hairdryers
- Irons & ironing board
- Coffee centers
- Room service
- Drying lines and laundry services available to all guests
- Free Wifi
Diving / Diving Site(s)
Valet Diving: Experience diving like never before
The Diving
No shirt, no shoes, no worries. Discover the marvels of the Caribbean Sea with Brac’s convenient “valet diving” service. Allow the experienced diving staff of Reef Divers to handle the burden of setting up your dive gear and changing over your tanks so that all you have to carry is your snorkel gear and memories. Please relax and enjoy your ride on our custom-fleet dive boats while exploring the island’s elite diving sites. Submerge yourself in the pleasures of a dive as the Reef Divers team takes care of everything else. With this superior diving service, all you have to do is get on the boat and enjoy the ride.
We know your diving gear is precious and personal which is why all guests receive a dive bag at check-in so you can personally pack your gear. On the day of your dive, leave your bag outside of your room, and our dive team will take care of getting your gear to the boat and setting up on a scuba tank.
Forget the hassle of cumbersome tanks because our staff will change your tanks after every dive. At the end of a long day of diving, Reef Divers will take care of rinsing your BCD and Regulators while you handle the light stuff, your snorkel gear, and your wetsuit. We have rinse tanks and a drying room for cleaning your equipment. Once you’ve experienced valet diving, a typical diving experience will never be the same.
Dive Training
- PADI SASY program: 6 mornings of activities from 8 am -1 pm daily. SASY kids keep fins, mask, and snorkel.
- PADI SEAL TEAM: 6 mornings of activities from 8 am-1 pm daily includes all 5 aqua missions. SEAL kids keep fins, mask, and snorkel.
- PADI Open Water: All dives needed for certification (eLearning is not included. For eLearning, you will have to pay PADI directly. The link will be sent to you 4 weeks before departure to be completed prior to arrival.)
Not included (any additional courses. This is a fun week of diving!)
Dining / Restaurant(s)
A little something for everyone
Buffet style: The Palms Caribbean Restaurant tempts you with the taste of the tropics as well as serving American and continental cuisines. The attire is beach casual. If you have special dietary needs, every effort will be made to accommodate those needs.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
By the pool and a view of the ocean
The Tipsy Turtle Pub is a poolside bar overlooking the beach, specializing in refreshing tropical drinks, and is the gathering place for guests before and after meals. The bar also offers a great menu of food including delicious burgers, fries, and salads. Food is served at the bar daily between 12 noon and 9 p.m.
Activities
Water and land-based fun!
- Snorkeling: Snorkeling is ideal for those who want to enjoy the underwater beauty of the Caribbean Sea but who are not interested in Cayman Brac scuba diving.
- Volleyball: Cayman Brac Reef Resort has one of the best beach volleyball courts in the Caribbean.
- Kayaking: Grab a kayak at our Cayman resort to enjoy some top-side sightseeing and exploration; kayaks can be rented from the dive shop.
- Island Tours: Enjoy an escorted tour of the island, by Nature Cayman.
- Cave Explorations: Stalactites, stalagmites, and dramatic views say it all!
- Biking/Hiking: 35 marked nature trails feature wetlands, bird watching spots, and historic landmarks; bikes are available at the resort for leisurely explorations.
- Tennis: Run off some extra energy on our lighted tennis court.
- Bird Watching: With over 200 species of birds, including the rare Brac Parrot, Cayman Brac is a birdwatcher’s dream come true!
- Cave Exploring: Explore one of the many caves on the island and learn about their interesting tales.
- Fishing: Fishing here has been dubbed the “Unofficial National Sport of the Cayman’s”! Try your luck with bonefish, tarpon, permit, tuna, and more.
Know Before You Go
It’s more like a domestic flight
Getting to Cayman Brac is as easy as flying to any major city in the US. Almost every major US airport has a direct flight to Grand Cayman and then you can take a short flight on Cayman Airways.
The main airport in the Cayman Islands, Owen Roberts International Airport, is located on the largest of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman. The sister island of Cayman Brac also has its own airport, Charles Kirkconnell Airport. These two airports serve as the Cayman Islands main ports of entry for visitors. Little Cayman is served by daily inter-island flights. There are some direct flights from Miami to Cayman Brac.
There are approximately 116 weekly flights into the Cayman Islands including 42 flights each week between Miami and Grand Cayman with connections to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Non-stop service from Miami is provided by Cayman Airways and American Airlines.
With 8 different airlines flying into Grand Cayman from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, it’s easier than ever to book your Cayman Islands experience!
Inter-island service between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman is provided by Cayman Airways and Cayman Express, making the Cayman Islands travel quick and easy.
Kids Sea Camp will arrange for all transfers to Cayman Brac Reef Resort.
Harbour Village Beach Club
Introduction
Island Dreaming Made easy
Harbor Village Beach Club in Bonaire offers a luxurious vacation in a unique getaway. All accommodations have a minimum stay requirement of 3 nights, while the Beach Houses require a minimum stay of 7 nights.
A Beachfront daily experience, enjoy tropical luxury from the comfort of your own personal haven on the shores of our private beach.
Harbor Village is, in fact, a Marina-Front Resort. Experience true waterfront tranquility with stunning views of our 60-slip marina.
Ocean views at every turn, Bonaire’s breathtaking shores serve as a picturesque backdrop for your indulgent island getaway.
Rates and packages
Get your 5% Family Dive Adventures! We provide year-round reservations for Harbour Village
A Perfect Romantic Getaway: Love & Luxury: Indulge in a romantic escape with seaside dining, soothing massages, and exclusive island experiences during a seven-night stay.
- Choose a special four or 7-night stay in a Beachfront or Marina Villa accommodation.
- Welcome gift basket and a bottle of sparkling wine.
- Daily full American breakfast.
- One seaside dinner with a bottle of wine.
- One aromatherapy massage per person.
- Unlimited use of the fitness center, kayaks, and paddleboards.
- Airport transfers to and from Harbour Village.
Note: Packages are not available during peak season.
Please call us for package rates 803-419-2556
Reef to Romance: Experience the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation at the resorts. “Reef to Romance” fall special. You will enjoy:
- A seven-night stay in a Caribe Suite, Lanai, Beachfront One Bedroom Suite, or One Bedroom Harbour Villa.
- Full American breakfast daily.
- Six one-tank boat dives and unlimited shore diving.
- Two aromatherapy massages.
- One seaside dinner with a bottle of wine.
- Complimentary concierge diving service.
- Complimentary Nitrox.
- Unlimited use of the fitness center, kayaks, and paddleboards.
- Airport transfers to and from Harbour Village.
Book by December 13th for travel through December 20th, 2025.
The Dive Packages
Experience premium diving with Great Adventures Bonaire, a PADI 5 Star IDC center. The Harbor Village Resort’s dive team of expert divemasters and knowledgeable concierges, along with our fleet of three luxury boats, invites you to explore the best that these waters have to offer.
NEED TO WORK ON THIS
Package includes:
- Seven nights in selected accommodation
- seven-day rental vehicle
- *6 days of unlimited shore diving
- Free Nitrox upgrade
- American-style breakfast daily
- Free Wifi
- Airport transfers
- Car Insurance
- Four divers in a 2-bedroom condo, from $1,167.00 per diver (low season). Includes a 5% discount
- Six divers in a 3-bedroom condo, from $999.00 per diver (low season). Includes a 5% discount
NEED TO WORK ON THIS
- Seven nights in a one-bedroom condo
- 6 x 1-tank boat dives
- Unlimited shore diving
- 7-day truck rental
- Unlimited Air/Nitrox
- Unlimited shore diving
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers
- Free WIFI
- Welcome drink
- Manager’s Rum Punch party
From $1,198.10 per diver sharing a bedroom condo (double occupancy). Includes a 5% discount
Accommodations
Harbour Village
At Buddy Dive, apartments are available with either 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms. All rooms at Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire are air-conditioned with bedrooms containing twin or king beds. Rooms all come with fully equipped kitchens including microwaves, stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators as well as a comfortably furnished living area with cable TV and phones. Everyone in the family will be comfortable!
There are free safe deposit boxes in every apartment and all include large private balconies or patios. There is a daily housekeeping service for you and free use of beach towels. Should you require a babysitter, the front office will be glad to make all the arrangements for you.
Buddy Dive even has a laundry facility should you wish to do some extra washing. From each of our apartments, you’ll enjoy the view of either the ocean or lush tropical gardens from your own private balcony or patio. And for relaxing outside, nothing can beat a nap in one of the hammocks in our shaded and flower-covered gazebo. For a stunning location with the ultimate view, there’s no place better than on our raised sand beach areas overlooking the clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean. A short stairway provides easy access to the tranquil ocean below which is excellent for snorkeling and swimming.
Diving / Diving Site(s)
The best diving in the Caribbean!
The Diving
Suit up and head into the vibrant waters of Bonaire’s brilliant reefs on a shore or boat dive. This award-winning diving team equips you with everything you need to get started—from beginner-friendly courses to complimentary dive valet service—offering an unforgettable experience in one of the best diving locales in the world.
Let's Go Diving
You can start diving once you have checked in and completed your orientation dive. Bonaire Marine Park regulations require you to participate in an orientation program before you enter the water for your first dive.
Two tanks a day?
Harbor offers two-tank morning dives. Participating in both the 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM boat dives consecutively is considered a 2-tank boat dive. The dive boat will return to the dock between the 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM dives to pick up divers for the second dive. Divers who are not joining the 10:30 AM dive will disembark, which takes approximately 15 minutes. There are restrooms available for those participating in the 2-tank boat dive.
Please note that the 8:30 AM boat dives are not offered year-round and are subject to hotel occupancy. We recommend checking with the dive shop for availability.
Dive Excellence
Get ready to dive into the vibrant waters of Bonaire’s stunning reefs, whether from the shore or a boat. The award-winning diving team provides you with everything necessary to get started, including beginner-friendly courses and complimentary dive valet service. Experience an unforgettable adventure in one of the world’s premier diving destinations.
Dive Training
Discover Scuba Diving: This half-day program includes instruction and a shallow skills session, followed by a shore dive to experience the amazing underwater marine life. Participants must be at least 10 years old to join.
Dive Refresher Course: Been a while since your last dive? The Dive Refresher Course is a 1- to 2-hour session designed to review core skills, improve your buoyancy and equipment preparation, and prepare you for boat diving. Add a private dive master for $85 to accompany you on your dives until you feel ready to dive independently.
Scuba Diver Certification: After completing this one-and-a-half-day program, you will receive a certification that allows you to dive with a professional to a maximum depth of 40 ft / 12 m. This option is ideal for individuals who prefer shallow dives under the guidance of a professional. Price: $375.00
Open Water Referral (PADI): If you have completed classroom and pool work at home, you can take advantage of our warm and clear waters to finish the Open Water portion of the Open Water Diver Course. This course includes four dives over two days. Price: $350.00
Scuba Diver to Open Water Completion: Upgrade your Scuba Diver Certification to an Open Water Certification by completing one and a half days of training. This option allows Scuba Diver certification holders to dive independently (without professional supervision) and increase their depth limit to 60 ft (for those older than 14 years). Price: $375.00
Open Water Diver After E-Learning: Complete the open water course after mastering the theory portion online. Note that the PADI e-learning registration fee is not included. Use store number 2372 to register. This program includes two and a half days of training. Price: $400.00
All equipment is included. Note: Prepaid packages are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Advanced-Level Courses: Take your Advanced Open Water Diver Course one dive at a time, exploring the specialty areas that interest you most. Adventure dives have no time limit.
PADI E-Learning: To purchase e-learning, visit www.padi.com/courses, select your desired course, and use store number 2372 for Great Adventures Bonaire. Complete advanced courses on-site after mastering the theory online. The PADI e-learning registration fee is not included.
Advanced Open Water: This course consists of five dives with little to no classroom time. The core dives focus on Deep and Navigation. You may choose from various Specialty Courses for the remaining three dives. Each dive counts as the first dive of the related specialty. Price: $275.00
Rescue Dive After E-Learning: This program spans three to four days and covers self-rescue, problem prevention, and rescue techniques. Price: $325.00
Dive Sites
Over 60 remarkable dive sites! (And yes, we have listed them)
1. Boca Bartol: This shore dive is the northernmost site in Marine Park. Advanced divers may encounter strong currents. The recommended depth is from 20-80 feet, with interesting coral reef formations in the shallows. Many of the larger fish species abound, and there is a chance to see rays and garden eels on the sandy bottom.
2. Playa Bengi: Located along the northwest coast of Washington Slagbaai Park, Playa Benge is known for its heavy currents. Recommended only for the advanced diver, the depth ranges from 15-100 feet. Ashore dive only, the experienced diver will be rewarded with some of the most pristine coral on Bonaire.
3. Playa Funchi: Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, Playa Funchi is for the advanced diver and has moderate to heavy currents. There is no mooring here, so access is from the shore only. In depths of 15-100 feet, horse-eye jacks can be seen out in blue water. The shallows teem with spotted trunkfish that approach you looking for a hand-out.
4. Bise Morto: Another Washington Park dive, this boat dive site can have moderate to strong currents and is recommended for the intermediate to advanced diver. Depths of 20-100 feet offer shallows loaded with elkhorn and staghorn coral, hence the name, which means “dead deer.” The deeper waters provide an opportunity to see larger species, including whale sharks and manta rays.
5. Boca Slagbaai: Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, this site is known for its moderate to strong currents and is recommended for intermediate to experienced divers. With depths of 20-100 feet, you may have a chance to see mantas or other smaller rays. At the southern end of the cove, there is a cannon in just 10 feet of water. Slagbaai is also accessible by boat diving.
6. Nukove: A bit hard to find, this site is a shore dive only. It ranges from 20-100 feet and has mild to strong currents. Intermediate-level divers will find huge elkhorn coral in the shallows, with schools of algae-eating reef fish present. Also seen are large midnight blue parrots. The drop-off has large coral heads that sometimes shelter nurse sharks.
7. Karpata: One of Bonaire’s most popular shore dives, Karpata can also be reached by boat. With depths ranging from 20-100 feet and light to moderate currents, novice and intermediate divers can pose for pictures alongside one of the many huge ship anchors embedded in the coral. Known for great visibility, wide-angle photographers can enjoy panoramic vistas to frame their subjects.
8. La Dania’s Leap: Known for the practice of “leaping” off the shore and then doing a drift dive to Karpata, this site has been recommended for intermediate divers by boat only. With light currents and depths of 15-100 feet, La Dania’s is one of Bonaire’s few vertical walls, with numerous canyons and sand shoots.
9. Rappel: The most often asked for the dive site, Rappel is reached only by boat. Due to the proximity to the rocky ledge, an intermediate skill level is required. With a depth of 30-100 feet and moderate currents, Rappel has huge sea fans in the shallows and an abundance of nudibranchs and other marine life.
10. Bloodlet: Too difficult for shore diving, Bloodlet has moderate currents and is for the intermediate boat diver. Averaging 20-80 feet, there is a dense reef structure that is home to schools of algae-eating blue tangs. Yellow and green tube sponges are also evident. Bloodlet is one of the places where sea turtles are often sighted and an abundance of marine life.
11. Ol’ Blue: This shore or boat dive site lies just off a long coral beach, east of 1000 Steps. Light to moderate currents and depths of 20-100 feet offer the novice and intermediate divers the chance to see numerous friendly French angelfish and schools of horse-eye jacks.
12. Country Garden: A boat dive with moderate currents for the beginner to an intermediate skilled diver. The average depth is 20-80 feet, and the shallows are covered with large boulders that have fallen from the cliffs and provide shelter for schoolmasters, grunts, and goatfish.
13. Bon Bini Na Cas: “Welcome Home” in the native language, this site lies just next to 1000 Steps and is a boat dive only. With light to moderate currents, beginner and intermediate divers will enjoy schools of Creole wrasse and blue tangs in depths ranging from 20-100 feet.
14. 1000 Steps: Situated in front of the Radio Netherlands towers, 1000 Steps is a shore or boat dive (actually, for the shore divers, 64 steps down to the site from the road and it seems like 1000 steps coming back up with scuba gear!). Currents are light, and the novice diver will have a chance to observe hawksbill turtles or a passing whale shark or manta.
15. Weber’s Joy/Witches Hut: This easy shore or boat dive, with light currents and a depth of 20-100 feet, offers novice divers a chance to see mountainous star coral with abundant fish life. Angelfish, rock beauties, and butterflyfish make their homes in the rocky reefs. This site is a favorite of underwater photographers.
16. Jeff Davis Memorial: Accessible from boat or shore, this site is great for beginners, with light to moderate currents and a depth of 20-100 feet. The shallows are covered with soft coral reefs and are a good place for sea turtles or maybe a seahorse. There are several large coral accumulations, forming chutes that lead to a sandy bottom.
17. Oil Slick Leap: Recommended as a boat dive, the hearty shore diver will find a steel ladder leading to the water. Named Oil Slick Leap because this was the original proposed site for the oil storage terminal, this dive is for the novice boat diver and has mild currents and a depth of 20-80 feet. There are generally large numbers of barracuda seen here.
18. Barcadera: This boat dive is located directly opposite the Bonaire Marine Park Headquarters. Moderate currents and depths of 30-100 feet are great for novice to intermediate divers. The shallows are covered with elkhorn coral and host schools of algae-eating blue tangs.
19. Andrea II: Located just past the desalination plant, Andrea I and II can be reached by boat or shore. Currents are mostly light, so they are ideal sites for beginner divers. With an average depth of 20-100 feet, there are many anemones and soft coral offering shelter to hungry trumpet fish. Both these sites offer a good chance of seeing seahorses.
20. Andrea I: See Andrea II.
21. Petrie’s Pillar: This is a shore dive only for the beginner, with moderate currents and an average depth of 30-100 feet. The terrain is much like Andrea I and II. Large stands of pillar coral are found in the shallows along with schools of blue tangs. Named by Capt. Don as a wedding present for a friend.
22. Small Wall: Located in front of the Black Dungeon Inn, this site offers the novice diver a chance to do a shallow wall dive. Accessed from boat or shore (you need permission to cross private property to shore dive), the currents are light to moderate, with the wall beginning at 20 feet. A cave can be found at 60 feet, with the possibility of seeing a sleeping nurse shark.
23. Cliff: Accessed either from shore or boat, Cliff is located in front of the Hamlet Villas, north of Habitat. With light to moderate currents in 20-70 feet of water, the novice diver will have a chance to see Capt. Don’s underwater Stone Memorial to the “divers who have gone before us,” which is marked with a plaque and dive flag.
24. La Machaca: Situated off Capt. Don’s Habitat, this site with mild to moderate currents allows the novice diver a chance to do a “wreck dive” in relatively shallow water. The 45-foot locally built boat lies in 40-50 feet of water, 30 yards from shore. Sometimes a large green eel will find refuge here so you should approach him with caution.
25. Reef Scientifico: South of La Machaca, in 40 feet of water, a grid system has been constructed to monitor algae growth on the reef. While the conditions are much the same as La Machaca, night diving here will reward you with a view of sleeping parrotfish and free-swimming spotted morays.
26. Buddy’s Reef: Located in front of Buddy Dive Resort, this shore dive has mild currents and is perfect for beginners. With depths of 30-100 feet, expect to see black chironomids perched on coral heads in the shallows. A resident school of tarpon almost always greets night divers. For a house coral reef
27. Bari Reef: Located at the Sand Dollar Beach Resort in 20-100 feet of water, it has light to moderate currents and is an ideal site for the novice or non-diver to learn scuba diving. Access is from the shore at the dive shop pier. A popular night dive, with friendly tarpons darting back and forth in front of your light beam!
28. Front Porch: Truly an easy dive, with light to moderate currents, Front Porch is located at the Sunset Beach Resort. Access is always from shore. The prolific fish life begins at 15 feet, right under the pier, and continues down to 80 feet, where a small wreck of a tugboat lies upside down.
29. Something Special: Located just south of the marina entrance, this is a shore or boat dive for the beginner. Currents are mild and the depth is from 20-80 feet. There is very little coral growth since this is one area where sailboats are allowed to anchor. However, the fish life is abundant, with a sandy bottom where rays are often seen. Great for night diving.
30. Town Pier: The most well-known dive site on Bonaire. All levels of divers will experience little current and depths from 20-40 feet. As a shore dive, you must have permission from the harbormaster and be accompanied by a local dive guide. It is a photographer’s dream location, with literally hundreds of photo opportunities.
31. Calabas Reef: Located in front of Dive Bonaire at the Divi Flamingo Resort, this reef is well suited for all levels of divers, with mild currents and a depth of 20-100 feet. All species of reef fish abound, with the occasional turtle or ray passing by.
32. Eighteen Palms: This shore or boat dive lies directly in front of the Lt. Governor’s house, which, coincidentally, has at least 18 palm trees planted in the front yard. Accessed from shore at the Plaza Resort, it has mild currents and ranges from 20-80 feet for the novice and intermediate divers. Southern and eagle rays are often seen in the sandy bottom.
33. Windsock: A shore or boat dive, Windsock offers the novice diver the chance to cruise the area located at the end of the runway off Flamingo Airport. With the depth ranging from 30-100 feet, divers often see turtles and rays. Named for the windsock that flies from a pole on the runway, this dive site also is excellent for snorkeling.
34. North Belnem: Also sometimes called Dick’s Place, this is an easy shore or boat dive for all skill levels. With moderate currents and a depth of 20-100 feet, the shallows have stands of elkhorn coral and schools of blue tang.
35. Bachelor’s Beach: A great boat dive, the novice diver will find Bachelor’s Beach also easy to do from shore. Located just past the airport, the 30-100 foot site has lots of soft coral in the shallows and mild currents. Also, the chances of seeing sea turtles are good here.
36. Chez Hines: Sometimes called South Belnem, Chez Hines is accessible from both shore and boat. With moderate currents, the beginning diver can expect a depth of 30-100 feet. This is another site where turtles are often seen.
37. Lighthouse Point: Located in the southern part of the island, this shore or boat dive has moderate currents for the intermediate diver. With a depth range of 30-100 feet, Lighthouse Point has a sandy bottom, with plenty of soft coral.
38. Punt Vierkant: Dutch for square point, this site marks the beginning of the double reef system. Either a boat or shore dive, the current can be moderate to strong and the depth ranges from 30-100 feet for the intermediate diver. Lots of soft coral can be found in the shallows.
39. The Lake: The second of the double reef dives. Lake is 30-100 feet and has moderate currents. Accessed from either boat or shore, the beginner diver will find soft coral in the shallows and schools of colorful reef fish.
40. Hilma Hooker: This internationally known shipwreck lies at the beginning of the double reef system. With light to moderate currents and an average depth of 60-100 feet, it is recommended for advanced divers. Can be a shore or boat dive. For penetration, some wreck and deep-dive training should be taken.
41. Angel City: Shore or boat dive, with moderate currents and suitable for all skill levels. This double reef dive was named for the friendly angelfish in the area which accompany divers. The depth is from 30-100 feet and there is a “swim-through” coral arch near the mooring, which provides a good frame for photographs.
42. Alice In Wonderland: Located along the double reef system, average depth is 30-100 feet with easy access by shore or boat. For intermediate skill levels, the current is light most times. The two distinct reef systems are separated by a sand channel. Lots of friendly French angels and parrotfish are generally present. Sand channels are host to garden eels and stingrays.
43. Aquarius: Shore or boat dive, with mild to moderate currents. All levels of divers will find this an easy site with depths of 30-100 feet. Sandy bottom shallows offer an opportunity to see rays and turtles.
44. Larry’s Lair: This intermediate-level shore or boat dive has mild to moderate currents, with a depth ranging from 30-100 feet. Expect to see rays and large groupers at cleaning stations. The entry for shore divers tends to be a bit rocky, so booties are advised
45. Jeannie’s Glory: Another easy shore or boat dive for all skill levels with mild to moderate currents and depths ranging from 30-100 feet. Lots of soft coral in the shallows and sandy bottom for rays to hide in. Turtles are often seen along these southern dive sites.
46. Salt Pier: At the end of the salt conveyor system, it should not be attempted when a ship is in the process of loading. Depth is 15-50 feet, with very little current. As a shore dive, you must have permission from the harbormaster and be accompanied by a local dive guide. Great for photography. Pillars are fully encrusted with sponges and soft coral.
47. Salt City: Still part of the double reef system, Salt City is a shore or boat dive with depths of 30-100 feet. Mild currents offer the beginner to intermediate diver the chance to see eagle rays and sea turtles.
48. Invisibles: With depths ranging from 20-100 feet, this is one of the few places divers have a chance to see garden eels in shallow water. One of the last of the double reef dives, beginner to intermediate divers will have a chance to see “islands” of coral separated by sand chutes. The currents are generally mild to moderate.
49. Tori’s Reef: A shore or boat dive, Tori’s Reef runs from 20-100 feet. All levels of divers can enjoy shallows that have large stands of elkhorn coral and a sandy bottom for Rays to camouflage themselves. Located directly opposite the outflow from the salt works, the shore entry is fairly easy.
50. Pink Beach: A shore dive, just off one of Bonaire’s most famous beaches. Depth is 25-90 feet, with easy entry for shore divers. Intermediate skill is required. The current can be strong. There are lots of coral in the shallows and stingrays are often seen along the sandy bottom.
51. White Slave: A shore or boat dive, the currents can be moderate to strong. The intermediate diver will enjoy this dive since turtles are almost always spotted. The depth ranges from 20-100 feet. The site is named for the white pinnacle and slave huts that are on the shore opposite the mooring.
52. Margate Bay: A shore or boat dive that has mild to moderate currents and a depth of 30-100 feet, all levels of diver will enjoy this dive. There are schools of black margate generally swimming at the top of the reef and pristine corals abound. This is another site at which turtles are almost always seen.
53. Red Beryl: This shore or boat dive has moderate currents and a depth of 30-100 feet. Intermediate dive skills are required for this site. Turtles, rays, and large schools of fish feeding near the surface are generally encountered.
54. Atlantis: This is a shore or boat dive with moderate to strong currents. Intermediate skill levels are required, with depths ranging from 30-100 feet. Turtles and larger species of fish are generally seen in this area.
55. Vista Blue: A shore or boat dive with moderate to strong currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels are required, with depths of 30-100 feet. Turtles and rays are sometimes seen in this area.
56. Sweet Dreams: Accessed from shore or boat, this site can have strong currents. Advanced skill levels are recommended, with depths of 30-100 feet found. The corals on this dive are generally lush in the shallows, with larger formations of stone species in the depths.
57. Red Slave: Lying adjacent to the second set of slave huts, this shore or boat dive has depths of 20-80 feet and moderate to strong currents. Advanced divers recommended. Horse-eye jacks and turtles are often seen.
58. Willemstoren Lighthouse: Located at the island’s southern tip, there is shore diving only, with depth ranges of 20-80 feet. This site is recommended for advanced divers only because its moderate to strong currents can cause a rough entry. Lots of schooling fish and, at times, tarpons and sea turtles.
59. Blue Hole: More often called White Hole, this is a shore dive that is for advanced divers only. It lies off Lac Bay and requires a long walk in shallow water to the drop-off. The dive begins in 15 feet and slopes down to 100 feet. Numerous tarpon are found here, as are rays and a chance of sharks.
60. Cai: Definitely a shore dive for advanced divers. Currents can be strong and unpredictable. Entry is made at the mouth of Lac Bay and depth ranges from 30-100 feet. Large species are often seen. This is truly a dive for strong swimmers with lots of experience.
On Klein Bonaire: All of Klein Bonaire’s sites are boat dives.
1. No Name: This dive lies directly in front of No Name Beach at 30-100 feet. Currents are mild. However, the coral is sparse. The advantage is that the sandy bottom is often home to rays and large schoolmasters. All levels of divers will enjoy this site.
2. Ebo’s Reef: This 40-100 foot site has light to moderate currents, suitable for the intermediate diver. What makes it so unique are the giant orange elephant ear sponges that are topped off with numerous black feather crinoids.
3. Jerry’s Reef: Good boat dive for beginners, the currents are moderate with a depth of 30-100 feet. Crinoids abound at this site, and large elephant ear sponges are evident. Lots of black coral is also seen in the depths. This site is also called Ebo’s Reef.
4. Just A Nice Dive: Closed.
5. Nearest Point: A dive with moderate currents and depths ranging from 20-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy stony mountain corals in the drop-off area. At lower depths, black coral can be found, as well as significant orange and purple tube sponges.
6. Keepsake: Closed.
7. Bonaventure: A dive with moderate currents and a 20-100 foot depth. Suitable for the beginner as well as the intermediate diver. A significant amount of soft coral in the shallows. Angelfish often accompany divers up and down the reef.
8. Monte’s Divi: The currents are mild, and beginner divers stand a good chance of seeing a seahorse here. The depth ranges from 15-100 feet, with large stands of elkhorn coral in the shallows. Alone divi-divi tree stands guard on shore, directly opposite the mooring site.
9. Rock Pile: The shallow (15-100 feet) water and mild to moderate currents make this site suitable for all levels of diving skill. A giant green moray eel is often seen hiding among the boulder coral. The mooring lies directly offshore from a pile of rocks on the shore
10. Joanne’s Sunchi: A dive site with 20-100 foot depths and moderate currents. For all levels of diver, Joanne’s Sunchi has lots of sand chutes and large tube sponges. Sunchi is the Papiamentu word for “kiss.”
11. Capt. Don’s Reef: Ranging from 20-100 feet with mild currents, Capt. Don’s Reef is a must dive for all levels. Located at the mooring is a plaque dedicated to Bonaire’s pioneer diver, Don Stewart, which thanks to him for his dedication to the preservation of Bonaire’s reefs.
12. South Bay: This dive has mild to moderate currents and depths ranging from 30-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy seeing different species of groupers and schools of horse-eye jacks.
13. Hands Off: A novice-level dive with mild currents and an average depth of 30-100 feet, Hands Off was established initially to gauge diver impact on the reef. No photographers or clumsy diving practices were allowed.
14. Forest: From 25-100 feet, the intermediately skilled diver will encounter mild to moderate currents here. Forest was named for the abundance of soft coral found in the shallows, especially black coral.
15. Southwest Corner: Ranging in depth from 15-100 feet, intermediate divers will encounter mild to moderate currents. Black Dungeons and, of course, an abundance of yellowtail snappers.
16. Munk’s Haven: A dive with mild to moderate currents, this site ranges from 20-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy lush, soft coral in the shallows, with sizeable sculptured coral heads in the drop-off area. Large groupers are often seen at cleaning stations.
17. Twixt: Closed.
18. Sharon’s Serenity: Located on the southwest corner of Klein Bonaire, Sharon’s Serenity has moderate currents suitable for intermediate levels of diving. A good site also for snorkelers, since the mooring located quite close to shore. With an average depth of 20-100 feet, there are numerous elkhorn and staghorn coral, as well as many varieties of soft coral. Large groupers have been sighted and many basket starfish make this a famous night dive.
19. Valerie’s Hill: A boat dive for all levels of diving skill, the range of depth is 30-100 feet. Usually, a mild current is present. Named after Capt. Don’s wife by local dive guides, has numerous sponges and abundant black coral. Scrawled filefish and gray parrotfish are often seen.
20. Mi Dushi: This dive averages 25-100 feet. All skill levels will find mild to moderate currents. Mi Dushi means “my sweetheart” in the local language. The shallows are filled with staghorn and yellow pencil coral. Many smaller reef fish also inhabit this site.
21. Carl’s Hill: This site is named after underwater photographer Carl Roessler and lies on the northwest tip of Klein Bonaire. This 20-100 foot photographer’s dream has light to moderate currents for the intermediate diver. The main feature of the dive is the sheer wall that begins 20 yards offshore and drops to a sandy bottom at 70 feet. The face of the wall is covered with sponges and soft coral, making for dramatic scenery. Barracudas and bar jacks are often seen here, as well as schools of blue tangs.
22. Carl’s Hill Annex: Also known as Yellow Man, this dive has mild currents, depths of 20-100 feet, and an abundance of soft coral in the shallows. Seahorses can be found close to the mooring barrels, and there are plenty of groupers and jacks in the deeper areas.
23. Ebo’s Special: Also known as Jerry’s Jam, it is named for Bonaire’s first certified diver, Ibo Domacasse. All levels of diver will enjoy mild currents on this site. One interesting feature is a cave that is in shallow waters and is the home of large groupers. A nurse shark has been spotted, at times, sleeping among the coral heads.
24. Leonora’s Reef: Just one site east of Carl’s Hill, this is an ideal site for the beginning diver. The currents are almost always moderate, and an average depth of 20-80 feet will take you to colossal plate coral and mountainous star coral. There is a small tunnel through the coral that makes an ideal frame for a picture. Tiger groupers are seen in the deeper water, while parrotfish, yellowtail snappers, and four-eyed butterflyfish prevail in the shallows.
25. Knife: This dive, with mild currents and depth ranges of 20-100 feet, is at all levels. Lots of schooling fish reside at the top of the reef and solitary species, such as ocean triggerfish, are often seen.
26. Sampler: On the north coast of Klein Bonaire, this 20-100 foot site boasts a light to moderate currents for the novice to an intermediate diver. Friendly angelfish willingly approach divers looking for a hand-out, as do many of the reef residents at this site. It is one of Bonaire’s most popular dive sites.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Dining with a view
A Waterfront Restaurant in Bonaire: La Balandra Restaurant & Bar
La Balandra Restaurant & Bar offers imaginative cuisine paired with stunning views. Led by Executive Chef Janet Hoediono, the restaurant provides locally inspired dining experiences that surpass expectations.
Activities
It is a diving island, but there are other things to do
A diverse range of activities and amenities provides equal parts sun, sand, and tropical splendor—plan to have plenty to do on the island, or plan to do absolutely nothing at all.
- Spa and Fitness Center
- Horseback Riding
- Donkey Sanctuary
- Land Sailing
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Washington Slagbaai National Park
- Private Boat Charters
- Sailing and Sunset Cruises
- Deep Sea Fishing*
Know Before You Go
Flying to Bonaire
From North America
American Airlines: In June and July, flying nonstop from Miami on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. From August through November, flying nonstop from Miami on Wednesday and Saturday. Beginning December 5th, daily nonstop flights from Miami and twice on Saturday.
Delta Airlines: Currently flying nonstop from Atlanta on Saturdays. From December 19th to January 5th, 2025, daily nonstop flights from Atlanta.
United Airlines: Offering nonstop flights from Newark on Saturday. Service from Newark will halt briefly on August 24th and resume on November 2nd.
Currently flying nonstop from Houston weekly on Saturday with a Sunday return.
JetBlue: Beginning November 5th, year-round nonstop flights from JFK on Tuesday and Saturday.
WestJet: Beginning December 10th to April 30th, 2025, WestJet will resume non-stop flights from Toronto on Tuesday with a Wednesday return.
From Northern Europe
KLM is currently flying daily from Amsterdam.
TUI Airlines is currently flying direct from Amsterdam on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through April 2025.
When to go
Bonaire is, for the most part, outside of the hurricane belt, so it’s the perfect place to go during July, August, September, and October. If you want to put a small group together, we even provide ten paid 11th free.
Other Info
Bonaire Nature Fee
Something unique about Bonaire’s nature parks is that they are managed and maintained almost completely with funding and support from their visitors. Therefore, your contribution really makes a difference as it enables us to protect Bonaire’s valuable and vulnerable nature parks. All visitors must pay this fee. PLEASE LINK SEE
Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire
Introduction
24-hour diving from shore with some of the best marine life right under the dock
We have provided custom family dive vacations at Buddy Dive Resort for over 30 years. Our rates and level of experience are the best worldwide. Book Buddy Dive resort any time of year from $899pp 6 nights, 5 days of diving, unlimited shore diving, 3 bedroom villa per person for 6 divers. Upgrade to 2 boat dives per day for $200 for 10 boat dives.
Buddy Dive: Special offer for September 2025 – October 2026. “2nd diver dives for FREE” special! See details below or give us a call at 803-419-2556
Buddy Dive is simplicity at its finest. It’s a charming resort and very family-friendly. Buddy Dive offers studio rooms, hotel rooms, and 1,2, and 3-bedroom villas with full kitchens. Parents who know Bonaire well like to hang back and enjoy a later breakfast and coffee by the sea, and then, at your leisure, jump off the dock with your dive buddy and kids. Bonaire diving is easy to navigate and even more accessible for daily blowing bubbles. Rated the world’s best shore diving, this island is calm, warm, and clear 12 months a year. We can customize your package to include certification courses, private guides, and shore or boat dives as you desire. We also provided discounted rates for the Buddy Fly and Dive packages, with or without a local guide. Just let us know your needs for your Bonaire diving experience at 1.803.419.2556.
You can go at your own pace daily: no hustle, deadlines, or worries. Buddy Dive has 24-hour diving from shore with some of the best marine life right under the dock and the wall just 20 meters away. There are giant tarpon, schools of silversides, and plenty of angelfish, just waiting to be photographed when you jump in.
Buddy Dive condos are simple and basic. They are perfect for families who come to be outdoors and enjoy the underwater world. Buddy Dive Resort offers studios for a two-person buddy team – a father and son, a couple, or a mom and a daughter. For three people, the one bedroom will work; you can add a daybed to the living room if needed. Or you can go with the two bedrooms to give everyone their space. For larger families of 5 and 6, the three bedrooms and three bathrooms are the way to go. Each bedroom can be configured for a king bed or two single beds. The villas are fully furnished with full kitchens and spacious living rooms overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Take the Buddy Dive Tour
Family Dive Adventures will tailor your package to meet your family’s specific needs. Mom and Dad can choose to go boat diving while the kids are in SASY, Seal Team, or even taking a JOW class, but parents will have opportunities to dive with their kids as well. If you or the kids are getting certified, we will arrange for PADI eLearning to be done before arrival so you can get the most out of your diving experience on the island. We can arrange for a private instructor to dive with you and your family on the extra days available after certification.
Sail, Dive & Dine at Buddy Dive
Are you seeking a diving experience beyond the incredible shore and boat dives on Bonaire? Look no further. The Sail, Dive & Dine tour combines Buddy Dive’s guided diving with all-inclusive service from Epic Tours, ultimate relaxation, and the luxury of a lunch and 4-course dinner on board a catamaran!
The Sail, Dive & Dine Tour includes:
- 8 Hours of all-inclusive service onboard a 44ft sailing catamaran
- Two guided dives (or guided snorkeling)
- Open bar including ice cold drinks(sodas, beers, wines, prosecco)
- Lunch
- 4-Course dinner
- Fresh water shower on deck
During the 8-hour Sail, Dive & Dine tour – from 11 am – to 7 pm – you will make two guided dives in the Marine Park of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. After the first dive, lunch and drinks are served (remember, no alcoholic beverages before dives). We will smoothly sail toward the next dive spot while you and your buddy gear up for the second guided dive. After the second dive, the boat will moor on a beautiful, sheltered place for ice-cold drinks and downtime on board the catamaran while the crew prepares dinner. The day will end with a 4-course dinner and drinks during one of Bonaire’s famous sunsets.
This is the perfect tour for divers, but spots are also available for non-divers! During the dives, they can enjoy guided snorkeling.
Rates, Prices & Specials
“5% Family Diver Discount” applies. We provide year-round reservations for Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire.
2nd Diver Dives for Free – Discount on Reef ID Books!
7 Nights’ accommodations, Round-trip Airport Transfers, Daily Breakfast, 6 Days of Unlimited Shore Diving with Tanks, Weights, Weight Belts, and Free Nitrox (Not Included: Hotel Taxes, Bonaire Government Entry Tax, and Marine Park Fees)
Travel Period: September 1 2025 – October 31, 2026
Price and Room Selections:
- from $1,282 1st Diver Pays / $1077 2nd Diver Pays Studio (Double Occupancy)
- from $1,379 1st Diver Pays / $1174 2nd Diver Pays 1 Bedroom Apartment (Double Occupancy)
- from $1,849 1st Diver Pays / $1644 2nd Diver Pays 2 Bedroom Apartment (Double Occupancy)
- from $1,119 1st & 3rd Divers Pays / $914 2nd & 4th Divers Pays 2 Bedroom Apartment (Quad Occupancy)
- from $1,226 1st & 3rd Divers Pays / $1021 2nd & 4th Divers Pays 3 Bedroom Apartment (Quad Occupancy)
- from $1,031 1st, 3rd & 5th Divers Pays / $826 2nd, 4th & 6th Divers Pays 3 Bedroom Apartment (6 Diver Occupancy)
- **Add On**
- 6 Boat Dives for $275 1st Diver pays and 2nd Diver Free
General prices for Sail, Dive, and Dine
- Adult diver 13+ excl tanks: $286
- Adult diver 13+ incl tanks: $300
- Adult non-diver 13+: $200
- Two tanks: $14
- Rental gear: $46
- Dive computer: $14
The Dive Packages
Buddy Dive packages for individual family vacations(not a Kids Sea Camp week or trip) are available for 1,2, and 3-bedroom ocean-view condos. Let us know how many people, divers, and kids are on your part, and we will be happy to book your Buddy Dive and Drive package for your family vacation.
2026 6-day unlimited shore diving: The Buddy Dive Dive and Drive package. From $894.35pp
Package includes:
- Seven nights in selected accommodation
- seven-day rental vehicle
- *6 days of unlimited shore diving
- Free Nitrox upgrade
- American-style breakfast daily
- Free Wifi
- Airport transfers
- Car Insurance
- Four divers in a 2-bedroom condo, from $1,167.00 per diver (low season). Includes a 5% discount
- Six divers in a 3-bedroom condo, from $999.00 per diver (low season). Includes a 5% discount
2026 Drive & Dive 6- boat dive package for two divers
- Seven nights in a one-bedroom condo
- 6 x 1-tank boat dives
- Unlimited shore diving
- 7-day truck rental
- Unlimited Air/Nitrox
- Unlimited shore diving
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers
- Free WIFI
- Welcome drink
- Manager’s Rum Punch party
From $1,198.10 per diver sharing a bedroom condo (double occupancy). Includes a 5% discount
Accommodations
Buddy Dive Resort
At Buddy Dive, apartments are available with either 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms. All rooms at Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire are air-conditioned with bedrooms containing twin or king beds. Rooms all come with fully equipped kitchens including microwaves, stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators as well as a comfortably furnished living area with cable TV and phones. Everyone in the family will be comfortable!
There are free safe deposit boxes in every apartment and all include large private balconies or patios. There is a daily housekeeping service for you and free use of beach towels. Should you require a babysitter, the front office will be glad to make all the arrangements for you.
Buddy Dive even has a laundry facility should you wish to do some extra washing. From each of our apartments, you’ll enjoy the view of either the ocean or lush tropical gardens from your own private balcony or patio. And for relaxing outside, nothing can beat a nap in one of the hammocks in our shaded and flower-covered gazebo. For a stunning location with the ultimate view, there’s no place better than on our raised sand beach areas overlooking the clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean. A short stairway provides easy access to the tranquil ocean below which is excellent for snorkeling and swimming.
Diving / Diving Site(s)
The best diving in the Caribbean!
The Diving
If you want to fall in love with diving, become a better diver, or dive safe and relaxed as a family, welcome to Buddy Dive Bonaire. Here you can just jump off the dock to enjoy large schools of fish, shallow wrecks, and easy diving with newly certified kids. The water is warm, the view is fantastic and the marine life is abundant. The dive team here is among the very best in the Caribbean! Most are parents themselves, so kids’ safety is the priority. Buddy Dive is a PADI 5-star CDC center.
With as many as 60 officially listed dive sites on Bonaire and another 20 dive sites on Klein Bonaire, the dive operation at Buddy Dive Resort is geared up for you to make the most out of your dive vacation.
With a fleet of custom dive boats and a well-stocked ‘Drive Thru’ offering air and Nitrox tanks, every diver need can be satisfied. To help us keep our reef environment healthy for many years to come, we do encourage all divers traveling to Bonaire to familiarize themselves with the Marine Park Regulations before their visit.
Bonaire’s sea abounds with beautiful marine life and a fascinating variety of multi-colored tropical fish. The sea is remarkably calm, and conditions are superb for both scuba diving and snorkeling.
Let's Go Diving
You can start diving once you have checked in and completed your orientation dive. Bonaire Marine Park regulations require you to participate in an orientation program before you enter the water for your first dive. At Buddy Dive, this orientation is held each day.
If your flight arrives in time for you to participate in the dive orientation, you can begin diving the day you arrive, and this would count as the first diving day of your diving package. Divers arriving on afternoon flights will attend orientation the following morning.
The diving schedule will include boat departures at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM each morning from Sunday through Thursday (Friday will be a Family Day dive). We have also scheduled a night boat dive on Tuesday while your kids will be enjoying pizza and a movie.
Easy Diving
On average, Bonaire’s visibility exceeds 100 feet (30 meters), and our average water temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit (29c). The fringing reef begins close to the shore; usually, a short 30-foot (10 meters) swim or less, making Bonaire world-renowned for its ease of shore diving.
All levels of divers can enjoy the freedom of our unlimited shore diving package, making as many dives as they want each day, according to their safe profiles. There are plenty of 80 and 63 cubic foot air and Nitrox tanks available at either the ‘Drive Thru’ or on the dock where there are convenient benches for gear set-up and two sturdy ladders that provide easy access to the water. Rinse tanks are located at the ‘Drive Thru’ as well as on the docks where there is a large gear storage room. This makes diving at Buddy’s easy and enjoyable.
One can join our experienced, friendly dive staff on our morning and afternoon boat dives. Every day of the year, our custom dive boats go out to explore the many dive sites on the nearby island of Klein Bonaire, a short 10-minute boat ride away, or to other spectacular dive sites not accessible from shore. Guided day and night dives are also arranged to great sites such as the Salt Pier or Town Pier, which have become a mecca for photographers. Even Klein Bonaire is visited at night on a regular boat night dive. And remember Bonaire is the shore diving capital of the Caribbean, so grab a tank or two and make some bubbles.
Dive Excellence
Buddy Dive is a DAN Member, as well as a PADI 5-Star Gold Palm Resort and Universal Referral Center. The Universal Referral designation enables Buddy Dive instructors to offer Open Water Completion courses to students from SSI and NAUI as well as a host of other training organizations. In fact, Buddy’s provides every level of instruction imaginable, conducted in several languages. In addition to all the standard PADI specialties, we also offer you the chance to become an Enriched Air Certified diver, or even try out a Rebreather!
As a full-service dive center, we also have a complete inventory of rental gear available. Buddy Dive guests who prefer to purchase instead of rent will enjoy shopping at the well-stocked retail shop. The on-property shop carries a wide range of dive and snorkel gear and accessories, as well as t-shirts, sandals, caps, dive lights, film, and souvenirs galore!
Fees (for the good of the Coral reef): It is necessary for all who use the waters of the Bonaire National Marine Park to pay a Nature Fee of $25 per year ($10 for snorkelers). At the time of payment, you will receive a specially designed tag indicating your support for nature preservation and a receipt. Keep both, as they will also provide you with complimentary admission to Washington-Slagbaai National Park throughout the year your tag is valid. Tags are available for purchase at all dive operations, hotels, resorts, windsurfing operations, sport-fishing charter boats, sail/snorkel/water taxi operations, marinas, and other water sports operations on Bonaire.
Dive Training
- PADI SASY program: 6 mornings of activities from 8 am -1 pm daily. SASY kids keep fins, masks, and snorkel.
- PADI SEAL TEAM: 6 mornings of activities from 8 am-1 pm daily including all 5 aqua missions. SEAL kids keep fins, masks, and snorkel.
- PADI Open Water: All dives needed for certification (eLearning is not included. For eLearning, you will have to pay PADI directly. The link will be sent to you 4 weeks before departure to be completed prior to arrival.)
- PADI Dive Master course: RSVP 14 DAYS REQUIRED $750 add-on to package price. Contact Margo at 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning, and Crew Pack included
- PADI Dive Rescue Diver: RSVP $400 add-on to package price. Contact Margo at 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning, and Crew Pack included.
See more about Kids Sea Camp dive training
Dive Sites
Over 60 remarkable dive sites! (And yes, we have listed them)
1. Boca Bartol: This shore dive is the northernmost site in Marine Park. Advanced divers may encounter strong currents. The recommended depth is from 20-80 feet, with interesting coral reef formations in the shallows. Many of the larger fish species abound, and there is a chance to see rays and garden eels on the sandy bottom.
2. Playa Bengi: Located along the northwest coast of Washington Slagbaai Park, Playa Benge is known for its heavy currents. Recommended only for the advanced diver, the depth ranges from 15-100 feet. Ashore dive only, the experienced diver will be rewarded with some of the most pristine coral on Bonaire.
3. Playa Funchi: Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, Playa Funchi is for the advanced diver and has moderate to heavy currents. There is no mooring here, so access is from the shore only. In depths of 15-100 feet, horse-eye jacks can be seen out in blue water. The shallows teem with spotted trunkfish that approach you looking for a hand-out.
4. Bise Morto: Another Washington Park dive, this boat dive site can have moderate to strong currents and is recommended for the intermediate to advanced diver. Depths of 20-100 feet offer shallows loaded with elkhorn and staghorn coral, hence the name, which means “dead deer.” The deeper waters provide an opportunity to see larger species, including whale sharks and manta rays.
5. Boca Slagbaai: Located in Washington Slagbaai National Park, this site is known for its moderate to strong currents and is recommended for intermediate to experienced divers. With depths of 20-100 feet, you may have a chance to see mantas or other smaller rays. At the southern end of the cove, there is a cannon in just 10 feet of water. Slagbaai is also accessible by boat diving.
6. Nukove: A bit hard to find, this site is a shore dive only. It ranges from 20-100 feet and has mild to strong currents. Intermediate-level divers will find huge elkhorn coral in the shallows, with schools of algae-eating reef fish present. Also seen are large midnight blue parrots. The drop-off has large coral heads that sometimes shelter nurse sharks.
7. Karpata: One of Bonaire’s most popular shore dives, Karpata can also be reached by boat. With depths ranging from 20-100 feet and light to moderate currents, novice and intermediate divers can pose for pictures alongside one of the many huge ship anchors embedded in the coral. Known for great visibility, wide-angle photographers can enjoy panoramic vistas to frame their subjects.
8. La Dania’s Leap: Known for the practice of “leaping” off the shore and then doing a drift dive to Karpata, this site has been recommended for intermediate divers by boat only. With light currents and depths of 15-100 feet, La Dania’s is one of Bonaire’s few vertical walls, with numerous canyons and sand shoots.
9. Rappel: The most often asked for the dive site, Rappel is reached only by boat. Due to the proximity to the rocky ledge, an intermediate skill level is required. With a depth of 30-100 feet and moderate currents, Rappel has huge sea fans in the shallows and an abundance of nudibranchs and other marine life.
10. Bloodlet: Too difficult for shore diving, Bloodlet has moderate currents and is for the intermediate boat diver. Averaging 20-80 feet, there is a dense reef structure that is home to schools of algae-eating blue tangs. Yellow and green tube sponges are also evident. Bloodlet is one of the places where sea turtles are often sighted and an abundance of marine life.
11. Ol’ Blue: This shore or boat dive site lies just off a long coral beach, east of 1000 Steps. Light to moderate currents and depths of 20-100 feet offer the novice and intermediate divers the chance to see numerous friendly French angelfish and schools of horse-eye jacks.
12. Country Garden: A boat dive with moderate currents for the beginner to an intermediate skilled diver. The average depth is 20-80 feet, and the shallows are covered with large boulders that have fallen from the cliffs and provide shelter for schoolmasters, grunts, and goatfish.
13. Bon Bini Na Cas: “Welcome Home” in the native language, this site lies just next to 1000 Steps and is a boat dive only. With light to moderate currents, beginner and intermediate divers will enjoy schools of Creole wrasse and blue tangs in depths ranging from 20-100 feet.
14. 1000 Steps: Situated in front of the Radio Netherlands towers, 1000 Steps is a shore or boat dive (actually, for the shore divers, 64 steps down to the site from the road and it seems like 1000 steps coming back up with scuba gear!). Currents are light, and the novice diver will have a chance to observe hawksbill turtles or a passing whale shark or manta.
15. Weber’s Joy/Witches Hut: This easy shore or boat dive, with light currents and a depth of 20-100 feet, offers novice divers a chance to see mountainous star coral with abundant fish life. Angelfish, rock beauties, and butterflyfish make their homes in the rocky reefs. This site is a favorite of underwater photographers.
16. Jeff Davis Memorial: Accessible from boat or shore, this site is great for beginners, with light to moderate currents and a depth of 20-100 feet. The shallows are covered with soft coral reefs and are a good place for sea turtles or maybe a seahorse. There are several large coral accumulations, forming chutes that lead to a sandy bottom.
17. Oil Slick Leap: Recommended as a boat dive, the hearty shore diver will find a steel ladder leading to the water. Named Oil Slick Leap because this was the original proposed site for the oil storage terminal, this dive is for the novice boat diver and has mild currents and a depth of 20-80 feet. There are generally large numbers of barracuda seen here.
18. Barcadera: This boat dive is located directly opposite the Bonaire Marine Park Headquarters. Moderate currents and depths of 30-100 feet are great for novice to intermediate divers. The shallows are covered with elkhorn coral and host schools of algae-eating blue tangs.
19. Andrea II: Located just past the desalination plant, Andrea I and II can be reached by boat or shore. Currents are mostly light, so they are ideal sites for beginner divers. With an average depth of 20-100 feet, there are many anemones and soft coral offering shelter to hungry trumpet fish. Both these sites offer a good chance of seeing seahorses.
20. Andrea I: See Andrea II.
21. Petrie’s Pillar: This is a shore dive only for the beginner, with moderate currents and an average depth of 30-100 feet. The terrain is much like Andrea I and II. Large stands of pillar coral are found in the shallows along with schools of blue tangs. Named by Capt. Don as a wedding present for a friend.
22. Small Wall: Located in front of the Black Dungeon Inn, this site offers the novice diver a chance to do a shallow wall dive. Accessed from boat or shore (you need permission to cross private property to shore dive), the currents are light to moderate, with the wall beginning at 20 feet. A cave can be found at 60 feet, with the possibility of seeing a sleeping nurse shark.
23. Cliff: Accessed either from shore or boat, Cliff is located in front of the Hamlet Villas, north of Habitat. With light to moderate currents in 20-70 feet of water, the novice diver will have a chance to see Capt. Don’s underwater Stone Memorial to the “divers who have gone before us,” which is marked with a plaque and dive flag.
24. La Machaca: Situated off Capt. Don’s Habitat, this site with mild to moderate currents allows the novice diver a chance to do a “wreck dive” in relatively shallow water. The 45-foot locally built boat lies in 40-50 feet of water, 30 yards from shore. Sometimes a large green eel will find refuge here so you should approach him with caution.
25. Reef Scientifico: South of La Machaca, in 40 feet of water, a grid system has been constructed to monitor algae growth on the reef. While the conditions are much the same as La Machaca, night diving here will reward you with a view of sleeping parrotfish and free-swimming spotted morays.
26. Buddy’s Reef: Located in front of Buddy Dive Resort, this shore dive has mild currents and is perfect for beginners. With depths of 30-100 feet, expect to see black chironomids perched on coral heads in the shallows. A resident school of tarpon almost always greets night divers. For a house coral reef
27. Bari Reef: Located at the Sand Dollar Beach Resort in 20-100 feet of water, it has light to moderate currents and is an ideal site for the novice or non-diver to learn scuba diving. Access is from the shore at the dive shop pier. A popular night dive, with friendly tarpons darting back and forth in front of your light beam!
28. Front Porch: Truly an easy dive, with light to moderate currents, Front Porch is located at the Sunset Beach Resort. Access is always from shore. The prolific fish life begins at 15 feet, right under the pier, and continues down to 80 feet, where a small wreck of a tugboat lies upside down.
29. Something Special: Located just south of the marina entrance, this is a shore or boat dive for the beginner. Currents are mild and the depth is from 20-80 feet. There is very little coral growth since this is one area where sailboats are allowed to anchor. However, the fish life is abundant, with a sandy bottom where rays are often seen. Great for night diving.
30. Town Pier: The most well-known dive site on Bonaire. All levels of divers will experience little current and depths from 20-40 feet. As a shore dive, you must have permission from the harbormaster and be accompanied by a local dive guide. It is a photographer’s dream location, with literally hundreds of photo opportunities.
31. Calabas Reef: Located in front of Dive Bonaire at the Divi Flamingo Resort, this reef is well suited for all levels of divers, with mild currents and a depth of 20-100 feet. All species of reef fish abound, with the occasional turtle or ray passing by.
32. Eighteen Palms: This shore or boat dive lies directly in front of the Lt. Governor’s house, which, coincidentally, has at least 18 palm trees planted in the front yard. Accessed from shore at the Plaza Resort, it has mild currents and ranges from 20-80 feet for the novice and intermediate divers. Southern and eagle rays are often seen in the sandy bottom.
33. Windsock: A shore or boat dive, Windsock offers the novice diver the chance to cruise the area located at the end of the runway off Flamingo Airport. With the depth ranging from 30-100 feet, divers often see turtles and rays. Named for the windsock that flies from a pole on the runway, this dive site also is excellent for snorkeling.
34. North Belnem: Also sometimes called Dick’s Place, this is an easy shore or boat dive for all skill levels. With moderate currents and a depth of 20-100 feet, the shallows have stands of elkhorn coral and schools of blue tang.
35. Bachelor’s Beach: A great boat dive, the novice diver will find Bachelor’s Beach also easy to do from shore. Located just past the airport, the 30-100 foot site has lots of soft coral in the shallows and mild currents. Also, the chances of seeing sea turtles are good here.
36. Chez Hines: Sometimes called South Belnem, Chez Hines is accessible from both shore and boat. With moderate currents, the beginning diver can expect a depth of 30-100 feet. This is another site where turtles are often seen.
37. Lighthouse Point: Located in the southern part of the island, this shore or boat dive has moderate currents for the intermediate diver. With a depth range of 30-100 feet, Lighthouse Point has a sandy bottom, with plenty of soft coral.
38. Punt Vierkant: Dutch for square point, this site marks the beginning of the double reef system. Either a boat or shore dive, the current can be moderate to strong and the depth ranges from 30-100 feet for the intermediate diver. Lots of soft coral can be found in the shallows.
39. The Lake: The second of the double reef dives. Lake is 30-100 feet and has moderate currents. Accessed from either boat or shore, the beginner diver will find soft coral in the shallows and schools of colorful reef fish.
40. Hilma Hooker: This internationally known shipwreck lies at the beginning of the double reef system. With light to moderate currents and an average depth of 60-100 feet, it is recommended for advanced divers. Can be a shore or boat dive. For penetration, some wreck and deep-dive training should be taken.
41. Angel City: Shore or boat dive, with moderate currents and suitable for all skill levels. This double reef dive was named for the friendly angelfish in the area which accompany divers. The depth is from 30-100 feet and there is a “swim-through” coral arch near the mooring, which provides a good frame for photographs.
42. Alice In Wonderland: Located along the double reef system, average depth is 30-100 feet with easy access by shore or boat. For intermediate skill levels, the current is light most times. The two distinct reef systems are separated by a sand channel. Lots of friendly French angels and parrotfish are generally present. Sand channels are host to garden eels and stingrays.
43. Aquarius: Shore or boat dive, with mild to moderate currents. All levels of divers will find this an easy site with depths of 30-100 feet. Sandy bottom shallows offer an opportunity to see rays and turtles.
44. Larry’s Lair: This intermediate-level shore or boat dive has mild to moderate currents, with a depth ranging from 30-100 feet. Expect to see rays and large groupers at cleaning stations. The entry for shore divers tends to be a bit rocky, so booties are advised
45. Jeannie’s Glory: Another easy shore or boat dive for all skill levels with mild to moderate currents and depths ranging from 30-100 feet. Lots of soft coral in the shallows and sandy bottom for rays to hide in. Turtles are often seen along these southern dive sites.
46. Salt Pier: At the end of the salt conveyor system, it should not be attempted when a ship is in the process of loading. Depth is 15-50 feet, with very little current. As a shore dive, you must have permission from the harbormaster and be accompanied by a local dive guide. Great for photography. Pillars are fully encrusted with sponges and soft coral.
47. Salt City: Still part of the double reef system, Salt City is a shore or boat dive with depths of 30-100 feet. Mild currents offer the beginner to intermediate diver the chance to see eagle rays and sea turtles.
48. Invisibles: With depths ranging from 20-100 feet, this is one of the few places divers have a chance to see garden eels in shallow water. One of the last of the double reef dives, beginner to intermediate divers will have a chance to see “islands” of coral separated by sand chutes. The currents are generally mild to moderate.
49. Tori’s Reef: A shore or boat dive, Tori’s Reef runs from 20-100 feet. All levels of divers can enjoy shallows that have large stands of elkhorn coral and a sandy bottom for Rays to camouflage themselves. Located directly opposite the outflow from the salt works, the shore entry is fairly easy.
50. Pink Beach: A shore dive, just off one of Bonaire’s most famous beaches. Depth is 25-90 feet, with easy entry for shore divers. Intermediate skill is required. The current can be strong. There are lots of coral in the shallows and stingrays are often seen along the sandy bottom.
51. White Slave: A shore or boat dive, the currents can be moderate to strong. The intermediate diver will enjoy this dive since turtles are almost always spotted. The depth ranges from 20-100 feet. The site is named for the white pinnacle and slave huts that are on the shore opposite the mooring.
52. Margate Bay: A shore or boat dive that has mild to moderate currents and a depth of 30-100 feet, all levels of diver will enjoy this dive. There are schools of black margate generally swimming at the top of the reef and pristine corals abound. This is another site at which turtles are almost always seen.
53. Red Beryl: This shore or boat dive has moderate currents and a depth of 30-100 feet. Intermediate dive skills are required for this site. Turtles, rays, and large schools of fish feeding near the surface are generally encountered.
54. Atlantis: This is a shore or boat dive with moderate to strong currents. Intermediate skill levels are required, with depths ranging from 30-100 feet. Turtles and larger species of fish are generally seen in this area.
55. Vista Blue: A shore or boat dive with moderate to strong currents. Intermediate to experienced skill levels are required, with depths of 30-100 feet. Turtles and rays are sometimes seen in this area.
56. Sweet Dreams: Accessed from shore or boat, this site can have strong currents. Advanced skill levels are recommended, with depths of 30-100 feet found. The corals on this dive are generally lush in the shallows, with larger formations of stone species in the depths.
57. Red Slave: Lying adjacent to the second set of slave huts, this shore or boat dive has depths of 20-80 feet and moderate to strong currents. Advanced divers recommended. Horse-eye jacks and turtles are often seen.
58. Willemstoren Lighthouse: Located at the island’s southern tip, there is shore diving only, with depth ranges of 20-80 feet. This site is recommended for advanced divers only because its moderate to strong currents can cause a rough entry. Lots of schooling fish and, at times, tarpons and sea turtles.
59. Blue Hole: More often called White Hole, this is a shore dive that is for advanced divers only. It lies off Lac Bay and requires a long walk in shallow water to the drop-off. The dive begins in 15 feet and slopes down to 100 feet. Numerous tarpon are found here, as are rays and a chance of sharks.
60. Cai: Definitely a shore dive for advanced divers. Currents can be strong and unpredictable. Entry is made at the mouth of Lac Bay and depth ranges from 30-100 feet. Large species are often seen. This is truly a dive for strong swimmers with lots of experience.
On Klein Bonaire: All of Klein Bonaire’s sites are boat dives.
1. No Name: This dive lies directly in front of No Name Beach at 30-100 feet. Currents are mild. However, the coral is sparse. The advantage is that the sandy bottom is often home to rays and large schoolmasters. All levels of divers will enjoy this site.
2. Ebo’s Reef: This 40-100 foot site has light to moderate currents, suitable for the intermediate diver. What makes it so unique are the giant orange elephant ear sponges that are topped off with numerous black feather crinoids.
3. Jerry’s Reef: Good boat dive for beginners, the currents are moderate with a depth of 30-100 feet. Crinoids abound at this site, and large elephant ear sponges are evident. Lots of black coral is also seen in the depths. This site is also called Ebo’s Reef.
4. Just A Nice Dive: Closed.
5. Nearest Point: A dive with moderate currents and depths ranging from 20-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy stony mountain corals in the drop-off area. At lower depths, black coral can be found, as well as significant orange and purple tube sponges.
6. Keepsake: Closed.
7. Bonaventure: A dive with moderate currents and a 20-100 foot depth. Suitable for the beginner as well as the intermediate diver. A significant amount of soft coral in the shallows. Angelfish often accompany divers up and down the reef.
8. Monte’s Divi: The currents are mild, and beginner divers stand a good chance of seeing a seahorse here. The depth ranges from 15-100 feet, with large stands of elkhorn coral in the shallows. Alone divi-divi tree stands guard on shore, directly opposite the mooring site.
9. Rock Pile: The shallow (15-100 feet) water and mild to moderate currents make this site suitable for all levels of diving skill. A giant green moray eel is often seen hiding among the boulder coral. The mooring lies directly offshore from a pile of rocks on the shore
10. Joanne’s Sunchi: A dive site with 20-100 foot depths and moderate currents. For all levels of diver, Joanne’s Sunchi has lots of sand chutes and large tube sponges. Sunchi is the Papiamentu word for “kiss.”
11. Capt. Don’s Reef: Ranging from 20-100 feet with mild currents, Capt. Don’s Reef is a must dive for all levels. Located at the mooring is a plaque dedicated to Bonaire’s pioneer diver, Don Stewart, which thanks to him for his dedication to the preservation of Bonaire’s reefs.
12. South Bay: This dive has mild to moderate currents and depths ranging from 30-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy seeing different species of groupers and schools of horse-eye jacks.
13. Hands Off: A novice-level dive with mild currents and an average depth of 30-100 feet, Hands Off was established initially to gauge diver impact on the reef. No photographers or clumsy diving practices were allowed.
14. Forest: From 25-100 feet, the intermediately skilled diver will encounter mild to moderate currents here. Forest was named for the abundance of soft coral found in the shallows, especially black coral.
15. Southwest Corner: Ranging in depth from 15-100 feet, intermediate divers will encounter mild to moderate currents. Black Dungeons and, of course, an abundance of yellowtail snappers.
16. Munk’s Haven: A dive with mild to moderate currents, this site ranges from 20-100 feet. All levels of diver can enjoy lush, soft coral in the shallows, with sizeable sculptured coral heads in the drop-off area. Large groupers are often seen at cleaning stations.
17. Twixt: Closed.
18. Sharon’s Serenity: Located on the southwest corner of Klein Bonaire, Sharon’s Serenity has moderate currents suitable for intermediate levels of diving. A good site also for snorkelers, since the mooring located quite close to shore. With an average depth of 20-100 feet, there are numerous elkhorn and staghorn coral, as well as many varieties of soft coral. Large groupers have been sighted and many basket starfish make this a famous night dive.
19. Valerie’s Hill: A boat dive for all levels of diving skill, the range of depth is 30-100 feet. Usually, a mild current is present. Named after Capt. Don’s wife by local dive guides, has numerous sponges and abundant black coral. Scrawled filefish and gray parrotfish are often seen.
20. Mi Dushi: This dive averages 25-100 feet. All skill levels will find mild to moderate currents. Mi Dushi means “my sweetheart” in the local language. The shallows are filled with staghorn and yellow pencil coral. Many smaller reef fish also inhabit this site.
21. Carl’s Hill: This site is named after underwater photographer Carl Roessler and lies on the northwest tip of Klein Bonaire. This 20-100 foot photographer’s dream has light to moderate currents for the intermediate diver. The main feature of the dive is the sheer wall that begins 20 yards offshore and drops to a sandy bottom at 70 feet. The face of the wall is covered with sponges and soft coral, making for dramatic scenery. Barracudas and bar jacks are often seen here, as well as schools of blue tangs.
22. Carl’s Hill Annex: Also known as Yellow Man, this dive has mild currents, depths of 20-100 feet, and an abundance of soft coral in the shallows. Seahorses can be found close to the mooring barrels, and there are plenty of groupers and jacks in the deeper areas.
23. Ebo’s Special: Also known as Jerry’s Jam, it is named for Bonaire’s first certified diver, Ibo Domacasse. All levels of diver will enjoy mild currents on this site. One interesting feature is a cave that is in shallow waters and is the home of large groupers. A nurse shark has been spotted, at times, sleeping among the coral heads.
24. Leonora’s Reef: Just one site east of Carl’s Hill, this is an ideal site for the beginning diver. The currents are almost always moderate, and an average depth of 20-80 feet will take you to colossal plate coral and mountainous star coral. There is a small tunnel through the coral that makes an ideal frame for a picture. Tiger groupers are seen in the deeper water, while parrotfish, yellowtail snappers, and four-eyed butterflyfish prevail in the shallows.
25. Knife: This dive, with mild currents and depth ranges of 20-100 feet, is at all levels. Lots of schooling fish reside at the top of the reef and solitary species, such as ocean triggerfish, are often seen.
26. Sampler: On the north coast of Klein Bonaire, this 20-100 foot site boasts a light to moderate currents for the novice to an intermediate diver. Friendly angelfish willingly approach divers looking for a hand-out, as do many of the reef residents at this site. It is one of Bonaire’s most popular dive sites.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Family Dining
Blennies: Lunch is served from 11 AM through 5 PM at Blennies Restaurant Bonaire, with a selection of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and delicious fruit shakes. It’s the perfect time to observe the activity happening on the dive dock below you.
At the end of the day come and join Happy Hour, daily from 5-6 PM, with a 50% discount on all soft drinks, juices, beers, wine by the glass, cocktails of the day, and house or call drinks. Visit with friends at Blennies Restaurant Bonaire and recapture the day’s events while enjoying refreshing tropical drinks. If you’re among the lucky, you might even see the famous green flash as you watch a beautiful island sunset.
Ingridients: The Van der Valk family on Bonaire has been in the tourism industry for decades; in that time they’ve had the chance of visiting hundreds of restaurants, but only a handful of them did earn a place in their minds and hearts. Ingridients food is based on Mediterranean cuisine and uses the fundamental principles of French, Spanish, and Italian cuisine.
Next, to that, they use local produce and serve all this next to the magical blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Buddy Dive wanted to create a space of comfort and luxury, of fresh elegance; a place for you to dine differently.
The Van der Valk family put their personal experience into everything, from the food, the decoration, and yes, the name. Hopefully, they’ll earn a place in your good memories.
Friday is a special night: Every Friday you’re invited to join Kids Sea Camp at Bennies Managers Rum Punch Party, a lively event with snacks and free rum and fruit punch from 5:30-6:30 PM. Dance to the live music of the fun and fabulous Moogie until it’s time for a dinner break at 7:00 PM.
The evening is completed the evening with Buddy’s famous “All You Can Eat Barbecue”, featuring steak, fish, chicken, and ribs accompanied by a variety of stews, salads, rice dishes, soup, and of course, dessert! It is a feast you will not want to miss and will deserve after your dancing!
Activities
When you’re not diving there are a plethora of activities available to guests
Activity package available for non-divers is the same price as the diver rate.
- Mangrove Kayak and Snorkel Tour: A guide will lead you in your kayak & teach you about the protected Red Mangroves, a real must-see! (Price upon request)
- Boat Snorkel: Explore 2 different snorkel sites by boat with a guide.
Island Tour: Buddy Dive has tours to every part of the island, so please do ask for more detours on the tours available. (Price upon request) - Boat Fishing Charter: Go fishing with people who know how to help you catch the fish you have always dreamed of! (Price upon request)
- Cave Exploration and Snorkel: Guided through 2 caves, 1 dry & 1 freshwater, you will see the majestic stalactites & stalagmites. Note: some physical fitness is required. (Price upon request)
- BLOW KARTING: Discover Bonaire differently. Enjoy some world-class land sailing around one of the world’s largest salt tracks. Karts come in single or two-seaters for $65per hr. Contact us for more information. This activity is included for the kids in the Kids Sea Camp family scuba diving vacation trips.
- Rentals at Buddy Dive (Full Day Rental)
- Kayak Single: $32
- Kayak Double: $48
- Mountain bike: $16
Additional activities offered on Island
- Windsurfing: Learn to windsurf with the pros in the perfect on-shore winds & shallow waters of Lac Bay! (Pricing available upon request)
- Kite Boarding Package: Learn the skills of kiteboarding with steady trade winds, in the crystal clear blue waters of Bonaire. As a student, you will be accompanied by your instructor by boat. (Pricing available upon request)
Know Before You Go
Flying to Bonaire
Traveling to Bonaire is tricky, but we can help. Direct flights come in from Miami, CLT, EWR, and Atlanta. DL, AA, and UA provide direct nonstop service. This changes from time to time, but give us a call at 803.419.2556, and we will be happy to help you out. The New Bonaire Visitor Entry Tax is a mandatory payment per person per visit for all tourists 13 and older and $10 for kids 12 and under. All tourists must pay this, which is only collected on the island upon arrival or prepaid before arrival through the link below. This form must be completed before arrival, and fees must be paid. A QR code will be issued, and you will need to print and bring the QR payment receipt with you and show it upon arrival in the country. If you have not done this prior, you can do it on arrival before going through immigration.https://tourismtax.bonairegov.com/Questions and answers.https://tourismtax.bonairegov.com/section/3
When to go
Bonaire is, for the most part, outside of the hurricane belt, so it’s the perfect place to go during July, August, September, and October. If you want to put a small group together, we even provide ten paid 11th free.
Other Info
Bonaire Nature Fee
Something unique about Bonaire’s nature parks is that they are managed and maintained almost completely with funding and support from their visitors. Therefore, your contribution really makes a difference as it enables us to protect Bonaire’s valuable and vulnerable nature parks. All visitors must pay this fee. PLEASE LINK SEE